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SHORTENING THE TIME OF TASSAGE

BKTWEEX

TsEW YOEK AND LONDON,

WITH DOCUMENTS RELATING THERETO, INCLUDING THE
PROCEEDINGS OF THE

RAILWAY CONVENTION

AT

PORTLAND, MAINE,

AND THE

CHARTER

OF THE

EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN RAILWAY,

WITH THE SUBSEatlENT ACTS AND RESOLVES PASSED BY THE LEGISLA-
TURE OF MAINE, AND THE DOINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE IN RELATION THERETO.

PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CONVENTION.

PORTLAND:

HARMON AND ■VILLIAM8...,PR1NTERS.
16 50.

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PLAN.

The plan of extending a line of Railway across the State of
Maine, and the Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to
the nearest available point of North America to Ireland, has been
frequently suggested, to very many minds of both continents,
looking at the question — from various and distinct points of ob-
servation. No one familiar with the commonest principles of
commercial economy, can for a moment doubt the truth of the
assertion, that at some time or other, the necessities of trade will
require the adoption of the shortest possible sea voyage between
the continents of Europe and America. The discerning minds
of both continents, ha^e seen the rapid approach of this event in
the various measures by which the lines of Railway have been
pushed out from the great commercial centres of England and
the United States toward each other, in the general direction of
the shortest line between them, — and in the employment of
steam-ships of the most approved models for speed and safety, in
preference to the ordinary sailing vessels of former times.

To have attempted to carry out the idea of reducing the time
of passage between New York and London, to its lowest possible
limit, at the time the line of the Cunard Steamers was established,
would have been premature. The plan can never be prqperly
successful, till the business along the railway lines from London
to the west coast of Ireland, and from New York to Canso, in-
cluding through and way business united, will justify the invest-
ment of the capital, necessary for its completion. Whether or
not that time has arrived, is a question which has been fairly
propounded, and which the business men of both countries are
now preparing to solve. The movement on this continent toward

^

li

accompIisliii)g this result, has boon made, in consequence of the
grant of money made hy tlie British Government toward the
completion of the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland,
to extend from Dublin to Galway — and in aid of the Brittannia
Tubular Bridge,

Under the impression that the completion of the line of Rail-
way across the Menai Strait, and across the breadth of Ireland,
must change the course of travel, and the point of its embarkation
to this continent from the British Islands and the continent of
Europe, an effort was made to arouse the public mind of Maine
in favor of a corresponding movement on this side the Atlantic, at
a Railroad meeting held at Bangor in February last The inte-
rest awakened by the discussion on that occasion, led to the pre-
sentation of the matter to the Legislature of Maine, in the follow-
ing petition, which was laid before that body by the Hon. Mr.
Shepley of Portland, a member of the Senate, and printed for the
use of the Legislature, on motion of M. L. Appleton, Esq. of
Bangor, of the House of Representatives.

I'o the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Slate of Maine, in session at Augusta, A. D. 1850 ;

The uiidersigued, citizens of Maine, respectfully request ymr honorable body
to ciiuse to be surveyed and ascertained, the most practicable route for a Railway,
from the city of Bangor to the Eastern Boundary of the State, in the general di-
rection of the city of St John, New Brunswick ; and to take such further action
in the premises as will tend to favor the construction of a Railroad from the city
of Bangor to some good harbor on the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia, or Cape
Breton, best fitted to become the entrepot and terminus for tlie most direct line of
trans-Atlantic navigation.

From the easternmost point ofNova Scotia, Cape Canso, in Latitude 45 deg.
17 niin. N. and in longitude 61 deg. S min. W. to Galway Bay, in Ireland, in
latitude 58 deg. 13 min. N. and in longitude 9 deg. 18 min. W. the distance is
about 2000 miles. Assuming a speed of 17 miles an honr in steam vessels, the
Atlantic Ocean can be crossed between these points in five days time.

Tne nearest accessible harbor to Cape Canso, Whitehaven, in lat.^ 45 deg. 10
mill. N. long. 61 deg. 10 min. W. according to the authority of Admiral Owen, in
a report on the subject made to Sir John nar\ey, Sept. 5, 1846 — "is a most
splendid and commodious port, nt the nearest available point of North America to
Ireland; its natural facilities greatly exceeding thoai of Halfax, or any other
point upon the coast." Galway harbor is one of the finest in the world, having
great ailvantages over Bristol or Liverpool, as a steam-ship terminus.

The Gut of Canso could possibly be passed by a bridge ; but upou thi» point

i

r-::jcii! tt«.'ip-j5

ncc of the

Dward the
)f Ireland,
Brittannia

c of Rail-
of Ireland,
nbarkation
ontinent of
d of Maine
Atlantic, at
The inte-
to the pre-
the follow-
Hon. Mr.
nted for the
m, Esq. of

ilivei of tht
50;

louorable body
for a Railway,
the general di-
further action
from the city
cotJn, or Cape
direct line of

atitude 45 deg.

in Ireland, in

the distance is

im vessels, the

time,
lat. 45 deg. 10
miral Owen, in
6 — " is a most
orth America to
or any other
world, having

lUS.

upou thk point

there is at present no satisr.ictory informntinn. By moans of a f.rrry nrtof* the
Cut of Ciinso, the lini- could \w extendfd to Ixjuixbiirj^h iiarl)i)r in rn|M! Brcluu,
«ti]l further east, to a point Icmh than 2000 mile.s dintant from (ialway Hay, as will
appear by the accompanying map or plan.

From (ialway to Dublin, a lino of Railway is nearly conjpleteU across Ireland,
and is in actual operation from Dublin to Muliingar, a distaiiro of 50 miles. From
Dublin, the distance of 63 miles across the Irish Channel to Ilolyht-ad, is passed
with steam packets, at the rate of 18 miles an hour, to which place the Chester
and Holyhead Railway is already finished, connecting with Liverpool and Lon-
don— crossing the Menai Strait by the Brittannia Tubular Bridgi', which was op-
ened for tratfic on the 18th of March, 1850.

The route of the steamship from Liverpool to New York passes near to Cape
Race in Newfoundland, Cape Breton, and Cape Canso, and thence along the roast
of Nova Scotia by Cape Sable, and paralel with the general line of the coast of
New Brunswick and JIaine. From Cape Canso to New York the distance can be
pikssed in about the length of line by land as l)y water, and in one third the time.
From New York to Waterville the Railway is already finished, a distance of 410
miles. From Waterville to the city of St. John, the distance would probably be
about 200 miles ; and from St. John to Whitehaven less than 250 miles further ;
making the entire distance from New York to Whitehaven from 800 to 900 miles
in all.

From Whitehaven to the head of the Bay of Fundy, at Sackville, a feasible
route for a Railway has been ascertained, passing near to Pictou, through the
valuable coal districts along the shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; and it is be-
lieved that the Legislature of Nova Scotia would cheerfully engage to construct
that part of the luie whenever the other portions are secured.

A line of Railway from Halifax, passing iu the vicinity of Truro, could be easily
connected at some feasible point with the main trunk ; and it cannot be doubted
that the enterprising citizens of Halifax would engage in its construction at ouce.
At the present time they are urging the completion of a line from Halifax to
Windsor, and a survey of the route has been accomplished.

From the city of St. John to Shediac Bay, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a line
has been surveyed for a Railway on the general line of the route to Sackville, and
Provincial aid to a large amount proposed. The Province of New Brunswick has
recently appropriated £60,000 currency — $240,000, to construct that portion of
the distance between Shediac Bay and the Bend of the Petecodiac River — the
head of navigation on the Bay of Fundy. No doubt lan be entertained that the
Province would extend this line from a point of coimection with the Nova Scotia
line to the city of St. John ; and it is believed that the local business of the coun-
try between the city of St. John and the head of the Bay of Fundy, would at the
present time pay a tolerable remuneration to the stockholders.

From the city of St. John to Bangor it is supposed that a route tolerably direct
can be found, without encountering serious obstacles. The necessary information
upon this point has never been ascertained ; and it is for the purpose of asking
that this service may be speedily accomplished, that we approach your honorable
body. From Bangor to Waterville, private enterprise has already demonstrated

Is I

6

the fact, that either of dRveriil rlipnp nnJ prnrticahlu routes ran be adopted.

The only grant unkc*! of ihu Legislature, or that will he neee-wary to obtain, in
an appropriation NUflicient to secure the eoinpletion of the remaining link in the
line of survey!", and at a suitable time, the ntjcessary grant of a charter to carry
this work fonvard, which, from the progress of events, must soon claim the public
attention.

The rilizens of Maine are generally aware of the import;ince of tlic question to
the best interests of the State ; but the work is too great for individuals to under-
take with our present means. The [)roper surveys once being completed, would
place before the country the great advantage of the position of our State for a
leading part in the commercial movements of the age. Private enterprise ought
not to bo so largely taxed as it must necessarily be, without the grant of aid to
the j)ropo8ed survey in whole or in part by the State, for the purpose of procuring
valuable information, equally desired by, or at any rate of equal importance to all.
Maine ought not, either, to remain inditierent to the great advantages which may
now be brought within her reach by a proper attention to the great movements in
Ocean Steam Navigation and commercial affairs.

The most stienuous efforts are now made to revive the plan of the Quebec and
Hiilifax line ; and various projects are now engaging the attention of the British
Provinces, with a view to secure in some form or other the aid of the Home Gov-
ernment. The movement is gaining favor in Great Britain.

From Halifax to Quebec the distance, acconling to the survey for a railroad, by
Major Robinson, is 6S5 miles ; and this road is urged upon public attention with
a view to draw over it a portion of the western trade, and place the Lower Prov-
inces in the great line of communication between the grain growing regions of
this Continent and Europe. Without going into an extended examination of the
merits of this project, it seems to us that it must strike every intelligent mind, timt
the most natural — the cheapest and best nirole of obtaining a comiiinnication by
Railway between the Lower Provinces, and Montreal and the west, will be found
by extending a line of Railway in the direction of Bangor and Waterville, Maine.
From Waterville to Montreal, a distance of 300 miles, the entire line is finished
or under contract for completion in 1852, and a branch to Quebec may be regard-
ed as secured within three years from the present time.

The highest importance therefore attaciies to every movement having reference
to the extension of Railways east of Bangor, or from the Lower Provinces in the
direction of the St. Lawrence River. One great central line for the whole State,
and for European communication, once laid down, into which the various branch
lines could enter, on either side as required — connected with a line extending to
Montreal and Quebec — a system of Railways would be secured surpassing in
value and importance any that has yet been proposed.

It is not proposed to urge any one to embark hastily in the construction of the
projected line ; but to so far present the advantages of this route for the great ends
in view, over any other possible line, as to secure for it such aid as in the pro-
gress of events, its advantages may call forth. If the practicability of the line
were properly demonstrated, it is believed that it would command support from

ju..j.uj,.j..!.ii;.

I b(.- adopted.
; tn obtain, ii«
ng link in the
iiirliT to carry
liiii the publir

ic quottion to
uuIm to under-
ipleted, would
ur State for u
iterprixe ought
grunt of aid tn
le of procuring
portance to all.
es which may
iiiovcments in

ic Quebec and
t of the British
he Home Gov-

ira railroad, by
attention with
e Lower Prov-
ring regions of
iiination of the
gent mind, tliat
inmnication by
, will be found
erville, Maine,
line is finished
may be regard-

iving reference
'rovinces in the
le whole State,
various branch
e extending to
surpassing in

tructioD of the

the great ends

as in the pro-

ity of the line

1 support from

lh»' great rommcrcial inlereMs of Great Britain nmlthel'niipd Slntex. If already
built, no one can doubt the value of the undertaking iiNn mode of profitable invest-
ment. ThoHC who may incline to hesitate, in yielding a.'inent to the truth of thin
asxertion, are invited to very carefully review the present condition of nffairn.

The United Htates now embrace a territory of 2,187,490 square niih-s not or-
ganized into States, including Texas. If this whole territory was as densely |Mip-
nlatcd as the State of Massachusetts, it would contain a population of over Two
Hundred Millions of people. The same extent of territory in Kurope, under
similar climate, and with fewer natural advantages, contains a still greater |topu-
lation, while the United Kingdom of (ireat Britain and Ireland has a ratio ofjMip-
ulation to the square mile more than twice as great as Massachusetts. The twen-
ty-nine remaining States, exclusive of Texas, comprise an extent of 1,065,158
square miles more. The increase of population in the United States from 1790 to
1800, was at the rate of 35.01 per cent. ; from 1800 to 1810, 36.45 per cent. ;
from 1810 to 1820, 33.35 per cent ; from 1820 to 1830, 33.26 per cent. . from
1830 to 1840, 32.67 per cent. It is believed that the census of 1850 will show
that from 1840 to 1850, the increase has been aa great as at any otln.'r period of
ten years. Causes now at work tend rather to increase than diminish the ratio
of increase ; and many now alive will scethis nation numberingoNK hundred

AND FIFTY NILLIONS of people.

Commercial mtercourso between the United States and Europe has gone on in-
creasing more rapidly than the population of the country. In the year 1820, the
attempt was first made to establish a line of packet ships to Liverpool, to sail on
certain stated days. Almost every one prophecied their failure, though embracing
only TWO in number, and of 450 tons burthen. At this time there are lines of
of regular sailing packets from all our large cities, embracing vessels of over 2000
tons burthen, and reaching hundreds of ships in number.

About fifteen years ago, the scientific world listened with attention to the asser-
tion of the learned Dr. Lardner, that it was impossible to navigate the Atlantic
Ocean by steam. This theory was disproved by the arrival of two steamers, the
SiRius and the Great Western, in New York harbor, one from Bristol, the
other from Liverpool, on the 23d day of April, 1838, both on the same day.
More than twenty steamship during the present year will run as regular pack-
ets between this country and Europe, while the number of sailing vessels is great-
er than at any former period.

Thenumber of Emigrants which arrived in New York in 1838 was 23,581. In
1849, the number reached 231,779. Thenumber which left the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland for the United States in 1848, was 188,223 ;
and the whole emigration into this country in that year exceeded 250,000. In the
year 1849, the number of emigrant arrivals reached 326,000 ; and it is estimated
that the number will exceed 400,000 the present year.

Every year gives fresh impulses to the cause of Emigration to the United States
and the disturbed condition of all commercial affairs on the Continent of Europe
is operating to invite a better class of Emigrants than heretofore, embracing much
of the skill and mechanical industry of Switzerland, France and Germany.

The most indifTerent observer will admit that the increase of facilties for travel

8

with Kurop«-, muni inrrj-aiM! far iiiori; rnpidly (or llw nnxl ten yonrn, than iit an'
formnr pcriixl. Thf tnulo hetwcnii thi; I nitctl States uiiil (ircat Hriiuiii in con-
Htuntly iiirrtmHing iiiiil nt tho |ir)>it('iit inoiiittnt lifyoiid any ioniicr vxaiiipl*>. Thi
exportrt to F.iiglaml in Ih30, wt-ri; <>24,6»»,(i<)«, in IS4M #71,762,315. The lin
portH froin Knulaiul in 183(», wcro $22,765,()1(», in IH4H &5!>,7(i3,522. Hotlu-x
port* and importH in 1817 t'xreuded fliosu of lf<4!^,liiit th« exlraorilinary deiiiunc
fur Uml occiiHionml by thn fiinini! in Ireland, gave un ununual inipulxc totrudu ii
that year.

A route which would enable the traveller to see an attractive portion of thL
Continent, the best portion of Ireland, and the most extraordinary work of huniai
Hkill, the Brittannia Tubular Bridge, would of itnelf invite the pleaiiure touririt h
take thii) route, if no Having of tiincor expense were secured. But it is confident
ly asserted that while to the man of business the same attractions would be of-
fered by the plan proposed, the expense of a trip to Europe can be largely reduced,
while it shall save him much if not all uncertainty ua to the time of his arrival,
and some days time for purposes of business.

From New York to Liverpool, in the shortest line, is 3100 miles , the routfl
usually traversed is over 3800 miles. By taking the Railway from New York to
Halifax or Canso, employing the swiftest steam packet from thence to Galway,
crossing the great Midland Ilailway from Galway to Dublin, adistance of about
120 miles, and from thence to Holyhead harbour, a distance of 63 miles, and
from thence to London, by the Chester and Holyhead and London and Northwes-
tern Railways, a distance of 263 miles — employing about 1,200 miles of railway,
and 2,000 miles of steam navigation — the passage from New York to London may
be reduced to seven days'time, at all events, and possibly to six days, within a
few years at farthest.

This can only be achieved by shortening the sea voyage, and dispensing with
the vast weight of coal and other superfluous load now carried. Vessels de8igne<'
for crossing the ocean with speed, should be relieved of all load not requisite fo
steadiness and good carriage. Ordinary merchandize will always go more cheap
ly in sailing vessels. Valuable goods could be transferred to boats of still greate
speed, from the ocean terminus, running if necessary to the various Atlantic cit
ies, if too bulky to go by the Railway. In this way, the safest and swiftest pas
sage would be secure<l. In a few years, instead of a semi-weekly, a daily arriva
of steamships may be expecfed.

One hundred THROUGH passengers a day each way by the Railway, woult
give a most profitable businees to the road, in addition to its local business ; ani
the highest price would readily be paid for the carrying of the mails. The Britisl
and the American Governments would willingly enter into a perpetual or perma
nent contract for this service, at rates of compensation repres-enting a capital equa
to one third the entire cost of the line. If the proper surveys were now comple-
ted, and the necessary charters granted, for a continuous line from Bangor t(
Whitehaven or Halifax, the schenie would offer inducements for the employment
of capital, unsurpassed by any enterprise of the age.

Looking forward but 25 years only, we shall see tliis government containing

rirTY Mii.i.ioN!! of poojilc. Iti grral rivtT* ami inliiiul mM*— iln miiuTil
wcnltli mill ini'xbiiuntililf noil — within n liililiulp Cavoriiblt' l» Iw-iillh nflMxIy iind
vigor of iiiiiiil — till rnimpiri- to give the fiili.'st (li'Viln|M'ineiit to tlir spirit of (irogrti'-',
mjuinit*! to supply incaii!* for tlio fullest gi ailiciitioii of i-vi-ry want known to tli.'
highcNt civiliyjitioii.

Under any form of Ciovornincnt known to rivili/<Hl ninn, th« proprf!<* of th*
rare would he, iindor siirli iiiflni'nccs, rapid and viguroun. Wlicn, lliiTcforc, an
cntprpri.Ming rarf>, in the ponscfinion (if ■*iich pliynical advant- ^cn nn tliix rountry
poi4iL>8i<t!N, aro HtiniulatiHi to exertion l)y the artion of a free government ii|)on tlie
energies of the whole peo|)le, we may confidently expert a higlier dcvelopeinen'
in the ideas and inxtilulionn of society, and a more practical application of knowl-
edge to the wants and necessities of lifi;.

Maine, from her frontier position and severe climate, has been heretofnre re-
garded as the least favored of all the States in tlu? Union ; while it has the pow-
er to become the great manufacturing and great ship-owning State of the Confed-
eracy, if not the first in point of connncrcial importance. Our climate and our
geographical position, generally spoken of as our misfortunes, are in fact the great
elements of our strength. The inca-nsed necessities which our climate imposes
upon US, beyond those of a warmer latitude, are far more than compensated by
our superior capacity for labor, our greater power of endurance, and our extraor-
dinary fondness for exertion. With a more extended Ibie of sen coast than any
other State in the Union, and more good harbors than all the other States togeth-
er, Maine will present at some future day, along her hays nnd rivers, a line of
cities surpassing those which are now found upon the shores ofthe Knglish Chan-
nel, or the Baltic Sea.

Thia result will be hastened^by attracting into our own State the great stream
of European businesa and travel, where it shall divide into two great channels —
one flowing northward into the St. Lawrence valley and the West, the other flow-
ing southward to the great commercial cities of the Continent,

Without the fertile soil ofthe West, or the rich deposits of coal and iron of
Pennsylvania, Maine for twenty years past has not kept pace with the ratio of
increase ofthe whole country. From 1820 to 1830, the ratio of her increase was
8S.9 per cent, or about the same as that ofthe whole Union. From 1830 to 1840
the rate of increase was only 26.2 per cent. Notwithstanding the healthiness of
our climate, the extent of our public lands, with all the facilities inviting emigra-
tion from the more densely populated dis'ricts of New England, emigration into
the State had become nearly stationary, nnd the tendency of our people to eini.
grate West, remained unchecked, till the movement was made to construct a rail-
road from Portland to Montreal. The effect of that movement is already appar.
ent upon the character, the enterprise, and the business of the State. A smal'
portion only ofthe energy which has been applied to that undertaking, will speed
ily accomplish the end now purposed ; — favorably affecting that great enterprise
and all the leading interests of Maine.

The time is not regarded by most persons as particularly favorable for entering
upon new enterprises. The great interests of Maine, ship building and lumber-
ing for some three years past hcve been sev<;rely depressed, furnishing less returns

10

even tlinn investments in Railways. These, in common with all other business
interests, are destined at times to suffer. Railway property will, however, ad-
vance in value with the growth and increa^ 5f Imsiness in the State ; while it
w ill also tend to fo.sier industry and stimulate production in every department of
labor, beyond any other species of investment.

It is in vain to expect to retain the natural increase of our population without
holding out inducements for labor beyond what are offered by the pursuits of :igri-
culture and lumbering ; and we have failed so far to attract to this State the most
valuable class of emigrants, that seek for a climate and soil similar to that of
(iermany and Switzerland, which resembles our own. — If proper encouragement
was held out to them, we might expect emigrants from the north of Europe to
prefer the soil and climate of Maine to that of the Mississippi valley. Instead of
this, for a series of years we have been compelled to witness the gradual with-
drawal of much of our capital into enterprises of other States, and a departure from
among us of many of the most enterp' '..iing of the young men of Maine. Real
estate has advanced but moderately in value for the last fifteen years, while the
new States have grown up within that brief period into wealth and importance.
Our frontier position, and the want of a proper State pride and a Stats policy,
have been pointed out as the principal hindrances to the growth of Maine. The
opening of the great avenues already in progress and proposed, placing Maine in
the direct line of the great commercial intercourse of the globe, will create new
relations la every department of business, und call into exercise such agencies as
will soon give to Maine a strength und a position equal to that, of any portion of
the Union.

The present period seems to us favorable for the proposed movement. An ex-
peritnent is now mat ing to run steamships from Galway to Haiifux, aided by the
Great Midland Railway Company of Ireland. The capital of this company is£2,-
596,666, or more than 12,000,000 of dollars.

This Company has a direct interest to subserve by inviting the travel between
this country and Europe upon its road. The same ir* trne also of the Chester und
Holyhead and the London and Northwestern Railway Companies. These com-
panies, with their various branch lines — under one nia.iagement — embrace nearly
one eighth of the entire traffic of the United Kingdom. The London and North-
western Railway Company, Aug. 1. 1849, owned 478 1-2 miles of road already
finished— built at a cost of X30,617,o20, or $150,000,000—60 3-4 miles more in
progress, and held the leases i."over 200 miles more — including the Chester and
Holyhead railway, representing a capital of at least 200,000,000 oft'ollars. —
Amid nil the depressions of Railway stocks n.!'d1)usiness for the last few years in
England, the stock of this Company has never been sold except above par ; and
by the recent advices from Europe, was selling at an advance. The influence
of this capital will be brought at once, in aid of any line that shall bring across
Ireland to Dublin the travel of this Continent. The same motive which induced
the British Government to aid the construction of the Biittannia Bridge, — to ob-
tain the most direct'route from London to Ireland, — will lead them to favor the
plan herein proposed.

11

Believing, llirefore, tluit the State lias only todisplay to the l)iisiiiess commutiity
•he I raeticability and advantages of this great route thrc.jgli Maine, to ensure
at the proper time its completion, we respectfully ask your honorable body to cause
the line from Bangor to St. John to be surveyed at the expense of the State, and
such further measures adopted as will give proper encouragement to the underta-
king.

JOHN A. POOR.
JOSIAII S. LITTLE.
JAMKS B. CAIIOON.
JOIL\ M. WOOD.
CHAULI.S a. CI-APP.
FRANCIS O. J. SMITH.
Ji'NE 12th 1850. LUTHER JEVVETT.

STATE OF MAINE.
House of Repuesen i atives, June 15, 1850.
Ordered, That 500 copies of the foregoing petition be printed for the use of
the Legislature, EDMUND W. FLAGG, Clerk.

The printed copies of this petition and mnp reached the Prov-
inces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by a most fortunate
concurrence of circumstances, through the agency of A. C. Mor-
ton, Esq. the distinguished Engineer of the Portland and Mon-
treal Rail Road, at or about the time of the receipt of the follow-
ing dispatch of Earl Grey, Colonial Secretary, which negatived
forever, the request for government assistance to the Quebec and
Halifax Railway,

Downing Street, )
liUh June, 1850. )

Sir — I have to acknowledge your despatch No. 168, of the 2nd ull., enclosing
a resolution of the Legislati, J Council, that an address be presented to yourself,
requesting you again to call tl'u attention of her Majesty's government to the sub-
ject of the proposed Railway from Halifax to Quebec.

Her Majesty's government have not failed to give their best attention to a sub-
ject in which so deep an interest is taken by the inhabitants of Nova Scotia. But
I airi bound to slate, that they are not prepared to submit to Parliament an v
MEASURK for raising the funds necessary for its construction, considering the
great amount and pressure of the exigences which continue to weigh on the Impe-
rial treasury. I have, &c., &c.,

f''g'>«J. Grey.

Lieut. Governor Sir John Harvey, &c.

The receipt ofthe plan for the proposed Railway through the
Provinces and Maine, followed by the despatch of Earl Grey,
aroused at once to the highest pitch of excitement the people of

12

the Lv,\ver British Provinces, in favor of the scheme, and awak-
ened a corresponding feeling in the minds of the citizens of (iue-
bec. The plan of a Convention at Portland, Maine, to consider
the various schemes which had been proposed to connect the
Llppcr and Lower British Provinces by Railway, was at once
agreed upon, and the necessary measures put in progress toward
its accomplishment.

An invitation in the form of a circular, was issued by a com-
mittee of the citizens of Portland, addressed to the Governor and
Council, and the Legislature of Maine, the Railroad Companies
and friends of public improvement throughout the United
States and the several British Provinces. The purposes of said
Convention were set forth in the circular of said committee as
follows :

CIRCULAR.

The plan of extending a line of Railway through the fi ate of Maine to the
Lower British Provinces, and to some good harhor on the Et.3tern coast of Nova
Scotia, Im.s long been regarded as a measure of the highest importance to the
commercial interests of this continent and Europe. Events which have occurred
on this side the Atlantic within the last few years, in the British Provinces and
the United States, have led the most discerning minds of both countries to con-
cur ill the belief, that the time is rapidly approaching, if not already arrived,
when an eflbrt should be made, by all parties interested in such a result, towards
its consummaiiun.

The regiou of this continent lying to the East of Lake Champlain and the
Hudson River, and between the River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the
Atlantic Ocean — in reference to its geological features, its topographical and
physical geography, — presents many striking characteriitics, inviting the atten-
tion of the naturalist and the scientific inquirer. Its ud, climate and commer-
cial advantages, indicate, that it possesses the greatest natural advantages for the
development of the highest physical and social condition of man, and point it out
as the future abode of the most enterprising portion of the race.

This region of country from the circumstances of its early settlement and tht
political changes it has undergone, has witnessed the most exciting scenes in th<
history of this continent, has been the theatre of the fierce contests of difiereu'
rac«s, and shared in all the eventful changes with which for more than two cen-
turies the nations of Europe have been disturbed.

The final predominance of the English race throughout this region had scartj.
ly become established, when now relations awakened an equally endjittered hos-
tility between England and her former subjects, leading both countries ijito bloody
and destructive wars.

The spirit of peace has at last prevailed — national animosities, sectional and

13

political hostility have tlisiippciircd hi-twrpii tliP riiglish rarps, siiicf tli« estab-
li-ihiiicnt of the boundaries of Maine ami Oregon, and the contests of war have
been succeeded by a noble and generous rivalry for the promotion of the art.s o'
peace.

The introduction of the steamship and the railway, has made fortner enejnies
friends, and the citizens of Montreal and Portland, of Halifax and Boston, of St.
Jolm and New York, are to all intents and purposes one people, sj)eakini; a
common language and .struggling for the same destiny. National hostility ha.s
given way to commercial and social intercourse, and midcT whatever form of
government they may hereafter e.\ist, they can never again become hudtile, or
unfriendly.

An effort is now made to increase the means of communication between dif-
ferent parts of thiii extended region. In aid of this purpose, a Convention is to
be held at Portland, on the 81st iif July instant, at eleven of the clock in the
forenoon, at the City Hall, at which time and place it is proposed to consider the
various schemes which have been proposed fir the accomplishment of this result.
The innnediate object of this Convention is, to agree upon the most feasible
plan for prolonging the line of Railway from the State of Maine to the I<over
British Provinces, to some good harbor best fitted to become the entre].'! and
terminus, for the most direct line of trans-Atlantic navigation, and form a con-
nection by Railway between the Upper and Lower British Provinces through the
State of Maine.

Such a line of Railway extended from New York and Jlontreal to a point of
connection in Maine, and from thence to Halifax, would undouhteilly prove the
most popular and most freijuented highway for all travellers between Europe and
America, and a great thoroughfare both for the old and new world. The Atlan-
tic can be most readily crossed from the eastern coast of Nova-Scotia to the
western coast of Ireland, thence by railway to Dublin, and by steam to Holy-
head, whence the Menai Strait i.s crossed by the Britannia tubular bridge, and so
to London or Liverpool, or any part of Great Britain or the Continent of Europe.
One great central line for European communication once laid down, into which
the various branch lines c i 'd enter on either side as required, connected also by
lines of Railway with Montreal and Quebec, would secure a system of Railways
surpassing in value and importance any that has yet been pre •

We are encouraged to believe, that the completion of this great work, can be
secured within a reasonable time, without withdrawing any portion of the mcana
of the people along the line, wanted by them for the ordinary purposes of busi-
ness. A liberal grant of public lands, and of public credit, from Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick and Canada, equal to that tendered in aid of the Ciuebtc and
Halifax Railway, with suitable compensation from the British, and American
Governments for the carrying of the Mails, will we believe, at once invite into it
piivate capital from Europe aiid the commercial interests of this country, fully
adequate to its early completion.

But whatever may be the pecuniary merits of the enterprise, it has social and

14

commercinl reliitiont* of the most delicate and patriotic character. Whatever
shall tend to allay national prejudice, and harmonize national difference!), con-
tribute!) to advance the highest interests of humanity, and promote the welfare
of the race.

The most sublime spectacle which the history of the world has ever di.'^closed,
is being enacted in our day by the advancement of the English race, towards
universal supremacy, — a supremacy not maintained by tyranny or force, but
rexting upon the soli* foundations of intellectual superiority — a love of freedom,
and of social order. Regardless of artificial lines of demarkation, or of the
political divisions of this continent, we desire that intercourse between those who
speak a common language, and are striving for the same destiny, shall be as free,
as the thoughts, of the mighty race, who have become the masters of the world.

JOHN A. POOR,
CHARLES Q. CLAPP,
ALLEN HALNES,
JOSHUA DUNN, >
T. C HERSEY,
CHARLES JONES,
DANIEL F. EMERY,
THOMAS CUMmNGS,
JAMES B. CAHOON,
A. C. MORTON,
JOHN RUSSELL, Jr.,
JOHN NEAL,
Portland, July 13, 1850.

A. W. H. CLAPP,
WOODBURY STORER,
GEO. R. DAVIS,
H. B. McCOBB,
JOHN M. WOOD,
LUTHER JEWETT,
NEAL DOW,
JOHN APPLETON,
P. BARNES,
ABNER SHAW,
MARTIN GORE.

Committee.

'hatever
es, con-
welfare

sclosed,
towards
ce, but
•eedom,
of the
Bse who
as free,
I world.

£E.

THE GREAT RAILROAD CONVENTION.

In pursuance of the call issued by said committee, .,.d in ac-
cordance with its invitation, Delegates from the British Provin-
ces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New Foundlend, and Can-
ada, and from the several States of New England, and New
York, assembled at the City Hall, in Portland, July 31,
1850. His Excellency, the Governor of Maine and Suite, the
Hon. Executive Council,— the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives of Maine, were in attendance by special invitation. All
persons officially connected with Railways were also invited to
take part in the deliberations of the Convention.

The attendance, as was expected, was large. The Delegates
embraced the most distinguished men of Maine, including the
Judges of the Supreme and other Courts of Maine and the Uni-
ted States— the Reverend Clergy, and the leading business men
from all its commercial towns; Among the distinguished per-
sons who gave the closest attention to the proceedings of the
Convention was observed, Mr, Grignon, the British Consul for
Maine. The Delegates from the Provinces of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia, many of them were chosen by the freeholders
of the Counties, upon a requisition from the Sheriff. The lead-
ing members of Parliament end of the government of each Prov-
ince, were in attendance as delegates.

The Convention assembled at 1 1 o'clock, in the City Hall.
Across the lower end of the Hall was erected a stage for
the use of the officers and speakers, and the walls were hung
with maps of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Canada, and the
New England States, and the best English charts of the sea-
coast of the United States, and of the Atlantic Ocean. In the
rear of the President's chair was i large map, V feet by 18

16

feet, on which was marked out the proposed route for the entire
line from Portland to Halifax, or its other terminus at White
Haven, prepared under the direction of M. H. Perley, Esq., of
St. John. On the right of the chair was suspended the Cross of
St. George, and on the left the Stars and Stripes, and from the
top of the building the flags of Great Britain and the United
States, floated side by side.

On each side the stage the most ample arrangements were
made for the accommodation of Reporters, and in front of the
stage, on the floor of the house, were placed the desks of the
Secretaries.

At precisely 11 o'clock, the Hon. Ezekiel Whitman, late
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maine, called the Con-
vention to order, and spoke as follows : —
Gentlemen of the Convention —

We are assembled from remote parts of the Continent for the
purpose of considering the best modes by which our intercourse
with each other can be promoted. I leave 'o., younger and
more active men the task of pointing out, and carrying forward,
the great end in view. I feel that it is my years, and not the
information or knowledge that I posses, that has pointed me out
for the performance of the duty of calling this Convention to
order. But I am happy to have the opportunity of lending
whatever support or countenance my years or my experience can
give it. Without extending my remarks I will take the liberty
of proposing that Hon. Ichabod R. Chadbourne, of Eastport,
shall take the Chair until the permanent organization of the
Convention.

The remarks of the venerable Judge, were pronounced in his
clear strong voice, and received with a hearty expression of
applause by the Convention.

Mr. Chadbourne on taking the Chair, made a few excellent
remarks, congratulating the city of Portland, the State of Maine,
and the whole continent, upon the assembling of a Convention
to consider a movement of such vast importance to all who speak
the English tongue.

He congratulated the delegates present on the purposes that
had called them together, from points so remote, and hoped to
see the Provinces and the United States, bound together by an

KmWiH]

17

iron chain, that nothing but time could sunder; to l)ind their in-
terests, promote their happiness, and teach the civilized world,
that it was better to live together as brothers, than as enemies.
He designated Allen Haines, Esq., of Portland, and George
A. Thatcheh, Esq., of Bangor, as preliminary Secretaries.

A Committee of thirteen, to report upon the permanent organ-
ization of the Convention, was then appointed as follows, viz. :
Hon. Levi Cutter, of Portland, R B. Dickey, Esq. of Nova Sco-
tia, R. Jardine, Esq. of New Brunswick, F. R. Angers, Esq, of
Quebec, Wm. D. Little, Esq. of Portland, E. S. Dyer, Esq. of
Calais, S. P. Strickland. Esq. of Bangor, Hon. Toppan Robie, of
Gorham, Hon. Wm. Wright, of New Brunswick, Hon. A.
W. H. Clapp, Neal Dow, T, C. Hersey, of Portland, and Hon.
Ezekiel Holmes, of Winthrop.

This Committee retired, and in the course of half an hour ap-
peared and announced the following gentlemen for j ermanent
officers of the Convention, viz : —

His Excellency, Hon. John II 'bbard, Governor of Maine, President
Vice Presidents.

Admiral the Hon. Wm. Fitzwilliam Owen, of New Brunswick.
Hia Worship, Henry Pryor, Mayor of Halifax.

of St. John,
of Fredericton.
of Portland,
of Bath.

of Roxbuiy, Mass.
of Augusta.

" " Henry Chubb,

" " John Simpson,

Hon. James B. Cahoon,

" Freeman H. Morse,

" H. a. S. Dearborn,
Gen. Alfred Redington,
Hon. TiMO. hy Boutelle, of W iterville.

" H. C. Seymour, State Eng!',^er of New York.

" P. M. Foster, President of the Senate of Maine.

" Samuel Belcher, Spe-«.ker of the House Representatives of Me

" E. L. Hamlin, of Bangor.

" Anson G. Chandler, of Calais.
J. Bell Forsyth, Esq. of Q,uebec.
Hon. F. H. Allen, Prof, of Law, Cambridge, Mass.
Dr. James Robb, Prof, of Natural History Coll. of New Brun':,\vick.

Secretaries.
F. R. Angers, Esq., of Quebec.
Allen Haines, Esq., of Portland.
Geo. a. Thatcher, Esq., of Bangor.
Wm. Jack, Esq., of St. John,
John Ross, Esq., of Truro, Nova Scotia.

18

Hon. Levi Cutter, chairman of the preliminary Committee, was
then delegated to announce to Governor Hubbard hia selection
as President of the Convention.

In a few moments the Governor appeared, accompanied by the
Committee, attended by his Aids, Cols. J. M. Adams and E. E.
Rico and taking the chair addressed the Convention as follows :

Fellow-cilizcns and gentlemen of Ihe Convention : — I thank you
for the distinguished honor you have conferred upon me, in call-
ing me to preside over your deliberations. Such service as I
may in this position render, in promoting the important objects of
this meeting, shall be cheerfully and impartially bestowed.

We are assembled, fellow citizens, to interchange opinions,
to impart mutual information, and to deliberate upon a subject
that is pregnant with consequences of the highest import to this
and future generations. It is no less an object than to ascertain
the best channels and the best means for putting us in direct and
speedy communication with each other and with the world ; to
give us the easiest and cheapest means for the interchange of
commerce and of mind ; to enable us to develope and bring into
productive energy the unparalleled natural resources of our State ;
in short, to bring us in communion with the spirit of the age.

Maine must not be delinquent to herself ; we may not be re-
creant to ourselves and to posterity.

Our brethren of this beautiful city have volunteered to become
pioneers in a railroad enterprise, worthy of the State and of the
age. With a spirit of self-sacrifice which does honor to them-
selves and to the times, they have staked their all for the com-
mon good of the State.

This enterprise, gentlemen, is however, but the beginning of
the end.

We want accurate knowledge of our natural facilities for com-
munication ; we want a clear comprehension of the expenditures
necessarily involved in developing such facilities, and of our
ability to meet such expenditures ; then only can we advance
with safety and certainty.

Then shall Maine at her appointed time, attain to that exalted
rank amongst her sister states which she is destined to r :i.ch.

Brethren of the British Provinces, we bid you a hearty welcome.
Most cordially will we unite with the sons of our father land, in

■1

i

19

all the measures calculated to promote our common good, and to
advance the cause of freedom and humanity.

These remarks were received with hearty demonstrations of
applause, more especially on the part of the delegations from the
Provinces.

At the invitation of the President, the .several Vice Presidents
took their places upon the stage ; Admiral Owen was conducted
to the chair on the right of the President by several members of
the committee, and his appearance was greeted with the most
enthusiastic demonstrations of applause.

The Convention being organized, Rev. J. W. Chickering was
invited to invoke the divine blessing on the deliberations of the
Convention, which he did in a most appropriate and impressive
manner.

John A. Poor, Esq. chairman of the committee of arrangements
for the Convention, then arose and said that the manner in which
the President of the Convention had stated the objects and pur-
poses of their assembling together, had relieved him of the neces-
sity of stating on behalf of the Committee, a single word further
in reference to the purposes, for which the delegates from parts
of the continent so remote from each other, had met in Conven-
tion, and he would therefore move that a committee be appointed
by the chair to report upon the business of the Convention.

On this motion the following gentlemen were appointed :

Hon L. A. Wilmot of Frederickton, David A. Ncal of Salem,
Josiah S. Little of Portland, George W. Stanley of Augusta, I.
R. Chadbourne of Eastport, S. R. Hunscom of Calais, Hon. J.
W. Johnston of Halifax, John Wilson of St. Andrews, John H.
Gray, M. P. P. of St. John, M. H. Perley of St. John, R. B.
Dickey of Amherst, N. S., Hon. J. B. Uniacke of Halifax, Hon,
Edwin Bottsford of Westmorland, A. W. Haven of Portsmouth,
Ichabod Goodwin of Portsmouth, J. Bell Forsyth of Quebec,
Hon. Reuel Williams of Augusta, Hon. T. Boutelle of Water-
ville, John Neal, John A. Poor of Portland, and Hon. F. 0. J.
Smith of Westbrook.

On motion of Mr. Cahoon, Mayor of Portland, the Conven-
tion then adjourned to 3 P. M.

Afternoon.

The meeting was called to order according to adjournment,

20

and the Committee on business not being ready to report, Hon.
Robert Uantoul, Jr., of Messachusctts, was called upon and ad-
dressed the meeting in substance as follows : Mr. R. said,

That hi! liiid roiiii' thcri' for tlic purpoHc of inrDriiiiiig hiiiiHrirofthc pruclicabil-
ity of a speedier iiitereoiirMo with Kiirope hy tin; route pro|iorie<l, of the ohxtach!)*
to bo overroiiie, the coHt of the enterprise, ami the degree of iiitcre«t felt along the
line, of all which niutterx he was igiiorunt, but presumed that others were ready
with full statements of these particulars essential to be known. As I am called
on however to open the discussion, said he, I will not oiler an evil (example by
declining to speak what is within my knowledge, and geeins to be pertinent to
this occasion, a few words upon the iinportance of the project under considern-
tion. Massachusetts may well utter her voice on this occasion, for her sons live
along the line you propose, a line to coiuiect Liverpool, London and Paris, tlie
Hrilish Islands and the Old World Continent, on the one hand, with Boston, New
York, Cincinnati, and JSt. Louis, with the Atlantic slope, the basin of the lakes,
the valley of the Mississippi, aiul the rising Pacific F.mpire on the other ; the
highway between the accuniulated numbers and wealth of all rhristendom and
Pagandom after their many thousand years of tardy growth, and the nation whose
young energies have raised her from i' th';d rate to a first rate power in the first
half of the nineteenth century, and will make her the mightiest empire of the
world, that is or has been, with her hundred millions of homogeneous population,
before the close of this century.

To know what is proposed to he done, is to know at once the vast interests in-
volved in its accomplishment — interests not confined to one age or to one conti-
nent, but broad as humanity, and lasting as time. You propose to cut off nearly
one third from the interval which separates one division of our race from the oth-
er. Doing this, you will multiply and strengthen the ties of friendship, mutual
benefit, and consequent peace in a greater proportion than you approximate men
ill their business relations. You will have made a greater practical advance than
any one act of man ever yet made towards combinuig the inhabitants of the globe
in one grand brotherhood.

What demand exists for a .oad from the United States through Nova Scotia,
with a ferry to Ireland, and thence across the British Islands to Europe? How
shall we measure the use likely to be made of it ? Of its local travel, I will not
speak, because I see those here who can estimate it from personal acquaintance
with the country ; but it is obvious that you will have all along the line when
completed, that which has gathered in Massachusetts her million of inhabitants,
abundant and convenient water power with facilities for cheap and rapid trans^
portation ; and you will have besides what Massachusetts has not, coal ready to
your hand, inexhaustible, and associated with the richest mineral treasures.

The number of emigrants arriving in the United States will average about a
thousand a day. It would require but a small part of these to give employment
to the shortest line. With business passengers the time to be saved becomes.an
important element in the choice of routes. As business now increases, daily
lines of steamers will soon be required, and it is hardly credible that the throngs

21

llifv will liriiig will spnid thrfn day'*, cr <'vpn twn tlriy, on tho wny wliirh roiiM
«0 caHily lu" tToiioiiii/i'd.

Will nur iiitprrnurHt> with tli)< Old World continup tn inonMiHu.' I doulit it iint:
niid at nil arctdcratiii); ra'io. Kvi'ry addition in mir coiiiiiiprro and iiaNi){iition
cauiffs II ni!vv iiinveiiK'iit of jtiiHfX'iigi'rs to look after their iiiterestM in the variom
openitionH going on. Modern roininerre in almost wholly tho growth of tliH
present century, and it l)elongs almost wholly to two nations, (ireat Britain and
ourselves.

There w nothing ho wonderful in ihn hiHtory of civilization a» the Into dpvelop«-
nient of Commerce : nothing so wonderful as the amazing increase of Dritish
Navigation except the still more amnxing increase of our own. The IJritish Um-
pire has her four millions of tons of shipping. We have our three and a half
millions of tons, hut about one million of tons of this amount has lieen added in
the last four years — an increase equal to that of about nine times nslorig a periinl
from 1810. New York has no'.v nior,<> shipping than the whole British F-mjiire
had during the war of the Revolution. This State of ISInine owns and builds more
tonnage in proportion to her populatio i than any other State or Nation on the face
of the globe.

There are some general considerations which satisfy me that this sudden and
unexampled developemcnt of commercial induiitry i.s far from having reached its
highest point. The new trade of the Pacific will employ more shipping than the
United States owned when the Constitution was adopted. The.se dliijis must be
huilt, and their many hundreds, not to say thousands of cargoes supplied mostly
in New England and New York. The returns must come back here, and when
our system is .saturated and the channels of circulation lilied with the precious
metals, so that gold is worth less hero than abroad, we shall become a gold ex-
porting nation, and import what Europe has to sell in return for our gold as well
as for our corn and our cotton. This alone will add many luillions to the annual
aggregate of our foreign commerce.

The demand abroad for our agricultural produce can be met more readily and
more fully when tho rail ways of the Western States can bring the crops of the
interior down to water carriage on the lakes, and rivers, and where there is shiji-
ping enough to transport it. This demand already exceeds tlie most sanguine ex-
pectations. In the lust four years we have exported three thousand millions of
pounds of cotton, worth two hundred and fifty millions of dollars, half a million
of hogsheads of tobacco, ten millions of barrels of flour, ten millions of bushels
of wheat, forty millions of bushels of corn, half a million of tierces of rice, be-
sides animal products in quantities unprecedented, all at prices higher than the
average of the four previous years.

Commerce has changed its entire character v\'ithin a short period. Formerly
when transportation was slow and costly, it was only articles of high value that
would bear the charge. In the account of the trade of tho Roman Empire with
the East Indies in the time of Pliny, averaging the cost of all the articles named,
of which prices can now be ascertained, I tiiid they 'range generally from fifty
cents to more than a dollar per pound for all that may be supposed to constitute

22

tho bulk nf their rnrgnp*, (o imy ni>thing (>f gold, geirii, pcorlii and olijpctH rarriiil
jn very iiiimito qunntilipn.

It ii* quite oliNJouR that n very Htiiiill niiioiiiit (if toiiimgo woij|<l lin NufTiriciit for
th« roiniiierct! of the world while it wim conriia'd to tlluse articlcN. Tiicy Wfr**
itold ut Koriic, oHen nt two or three hundred per rent, on the fifMt costt. Vet the
liuHinesit of the inerrlmnt wiih very preciirioiw. Of eourxe, a few |M!ri<unH only
conmiined these luxurieH. The ni;ii4!* of niiinkind had no interest in eoninierce;
they rntiKunied nothing that waH not of doiiiestif origin.

Tuke a xingle article that will illuxtrate the change. Hugar was once Huld hy
the drachm for Kupposed medical uhvh. After HUgar wan used an it in now, two
pounds of it at Venice would purchaHe a days lahnr. iS'ow we import more than
a hundred thounand tons of that article at aliout three cents a |)ound, in addition
to our homo 8upply, Ixicauso tho clieapnesH of the article nllows it to enter into
universal consumption.

So great are the improvements in navigation, that articles an bulky in propor-
tion to their value as corn, iron, salt, coal and ice, can be profitably carried on
long voyages, Flour, sugar, coffee, and cotton, of course can be transported at
much less addition to their original cost. The great uniss of the domestic exports
of tho United States will average, taking one year with another, not fiir from
sixty dollars per ton weight; n fact which explains the creation of our vast mer-
cantile marine, increasing without a parallel in the annals of the world.

Commerce is now an instrument of the comfort and well-being of tho millions
of men all over the world, instead of ministering to the caprices of a few. I*
must expand with its extended sphere of action.

This expensive tendency is promoted by the new policy of Great Britain, and
some other nations, who have lately removed some of the principal obstacles
they had placed in the way of their own connnerce. Since Great Britain en-
couraged her own industry by allowing her laborers to make their purchases in
the cheapest market, her intercouse with us has advanced with rapid strides.
From 1845 to 1819, the aggregate of our imports fron> and exports to the British
dominions had increased from one hundred and ten millions to one hundred and
sixty millions of dollars, our imports increasing almost forty per cent, and our
exports more than fifty per cent, in four years.* The increase in our Indian
Corn alone, to the British dominions, in the year 1849, which was not a year of
famine, was more thtm three hundred thousand tons, a weight greater than our
whole exports of cotton a few years ago. ♦

The corn growers of Illiixoi.ii want rail roads and must have them. They have
little spare capital, and cmlA cheap rails, on good terms. They have corn, not
wanted at home, but waiifct at good prices by the makers of British Iron. One
ton of corn from Illinois laid down in Liverpool will buy a ton of rails, and give
employment to American shipping out and home. Such an exchange is full of
benefits to all parties. There is no danger that mankind having once enjoyed

'Imports from BritiKh doiniiiioita,
Export! to »• '•

1845.
4fl,9n.'),T2.i

r. 1 ,04';,r)35

$110.948,2fiO

1849.
67,387,98,3
93,172.3.39

160,5«0,S22

23

.. <e l><>nefitii will vnlnntnrily rt'linquixh them, (iixl Ii.h not rr<^nl(Hl in vnin tlif-
rcriMit iuiiii4 iitiii cliiniiti' \ liiit l>y roiintantly iiii|iro\ iiik racilitii-n of iiili>rcoiir4<>, llii>
[)oo|>lit of imrh cliiiiatc iifcoiiiti |i!irtici|i»iiti< in nil llii^ mlviiiitagi'it of ••vrry other.
1 look forward thvii to a futun- for roiiiiiit'rci* far lii'yoiid the iirrKviit lirilliaiit rt;-
ality, and of the iiilcrcour'ti! growing out of that^ roiiuiiiTci', tin- itliortt'Mt and
(luicki'st route butwi-un Ni'w F.ngland and (Md llugland iiiUHt Im> a niuiii artery.

Mr. Rantoul's remarks were received with ciitlm.siiixtiL nitplniise.
When he had finished, tlio Cliairiiinn of tlio Committee on Business,
Mr, Wiimot, presented lumself, and stated that the Committee would
not be ready to report till to-morrotv morning. He requested on the
part of the Committee, that tiiey might be allowed to sit duriiii,' the
Convention, add to their number, and from time to time report upon
such business as might be deemed necessary, &c.

His report was accepted.

Mr. Poon, of Portland, moved that memorials, papers, or docu-
ments, to be laid before the Convention, be now presented.

Memorials and papers embodying resolutions, &c. of meetings
held in various sections on the route or routes proposed, were then
read, some tendering money, materials and facilities in aid of the
great vvork — and evidencing unlimited enthusiasm in regard to it>
viz:

Hon. J. W. Johnston, of Halifax, submitted a memorial from
Granville, N. S., praying for the adoption of the route to St. John,
N. B., and thence crossing the Bay of Fu.^dy to Digby, in Nova
Scotia, setting forth that by this route, il could be built cheaper and
through a better country than that of any other route proposed.

We, your memorialists, beg leave respectfully to suggest to your As
sembly of Delegates the propriety and expediency of adopting the route of
the proposed railway communication with England and the United i^tutes,
via Halifax, Windsor, Falmouth, Horton, Aylesford, and the volley of
Annapolis on the Granville side of the Annapolis River, to Digby Gut,
thence crossing the Bay of Fundy, by steam veasels, to St. John.

We are prepared to show good reason, why thi» route will be adopted in
preference to any other, when the several routes may bo more thoroughly
examined by competent Engineers. Assuming St. John, N. ii. and Halifax
N. S to b* the two points to be connected by railway, the distance from
St. John to Halifax, by way of Dorchester, Amherst and Truro, is 271J
miles. The Engineering difficulties by this route, to be overcome in many
places, will be very great, particularly in passing round the base of tba

24

Cobcqiiid iMountainB. e distance from Malifax to the Gut of Annapolis

id 14U miles. The advantajres of this portion of tiie route f/om Halifax to
Windsor (47 miles) will be more fully explained to ynur delegation by
l<"rties possessed '"f ful'.jr and more accurate information than your memo-
nulista.

The whole of the remaining portion of the I'lie crossing the Avon River
at Windsor — say 95 miles — is almost an uninterrupted level, but two
streams, or rivers (viz : the Avon and Gaspcreaux) to be bridged for the
wiic^le distance, with the exception of these two, the other streams on this
route are but mere brooks, the largest of which can be bridged for $500.
Probably no country in North America presents so few engineering diffi-
culties '.o be overcome, tor the distance of OG miles, and we can safely as-
sure your .l'-^u.i-.., that a railroad can be constructed on this route,
cheaper than the same <^.istance can be made in any other part of North
America.

Every part of the distance is occupied bv fertile ard ■;^roductive farms,
perhaps in the whole distance you will not proceed a mile without passing
comfortable and substantial farm buildings and improvements; every con-
venience for subsisting the 'vork people while conbi.ucting the road, and
an extremely productive country for contributing passengers and freight
for the support, of the Road, when completed.

In the upper part of the Annapolis County, the Road will pass adjacent
to imm^-nse dcposites of Iron Ore, of the most valuable description known
to exist ; many specimens of pure Copper are found upon the line of road,
".nd the whole country is exceedingly rich in useful minerals, lying now
dormant for the ivant of enterprise and capital to put the valuable resourcpR
of tills truly beautiful country in operation.

The Cornwallis River may be followed up on the South Bank to the
Aylesford Plains, where it takes its rise, cs does also the Annapolis P'ver;
passing betv' 'cn the heads of these two rivers, the Road would pass down
the North Bank of the Annapolis River, in the township of Granville, to
Victoria Beach, adjacent to the Annapolis Gut; the distance fiom thence to
St. John city is 36 miles, which can at all tl.jes be crossed in the roughest
weather,by powerful boats, in less than fou"- hours, and inordinary weather
in two hours and a half. Victoria Beach is accessible at all times of tide and
i.. all weather, never being closed by ice in the most severe w: i.ers. The
Bay of Fundy has now been crossed by but indiffere ,t steamers for twenty
years almost weekly, many years semi-weekiy, and yet not a single acci-
dent has tccurred, resulting either in iiie loss of life or sieamer. We beg
leave to suggest to »our delegation, that the route now presented to your
notice i« \'M miles shorter, railroad distance, thai> any other route from St.
John to Halifax; the only inconve:)i?nce is the 86 miiea of steam boating
across the Bay of Fundy. The expense of constructing 131 mi)°8 extra

Rail

25

Railroad over an exceedingly difficult country, to balance this inconveni-
ence, your delegation can better estimate than your memorialists.

We therefore lOgpeclfully ask that your delegation ^viH inquire into the
merits of the 'Ini low suggested, so that before any one route be selected
in prefereni,"> vo another, the country may be fully esamined by competent
individuals to muke the proper selection for so important an undertaking
as that of uniting the most powerful and Christian countries in the world
by ties of mutual interests, accommodations and benefit.

Wishing every success to the noble enterprise of binding the Old and
New World together, by rapid Railrond and Steam Navigation communica-
tion, we most respectfully submit these, our views, upon the subject.

WESTON HALL,
JOHN MILLS
ALFRKDTROOl'

Ol',^

Committee for the Gramnlle
MeetiniJi to forward the greiit
Eastern Railroad Procecdiin's

John C. Hall, M. P. P., of Kentville, N. S., then presented a
series of resolr ^ns from the inhabitants of King's County, IN. S.,
in favor of the .ame route — stating that should that route bo se-
lected, the inhabitants would furnish the lands for the route through
their territory, and that they would further furnish aid in money,
labor and materials to the amount of £25,000. Mr. Hall further
said, that if any ;.ther route was chosen, the inhabitants were still
ready to aid to the full extent of their purses in the prosecution of
the work.

RAILWAY MEETING.

A meeting of the inhabitants of King's County was bsid in ^the Court
House at Kentville, on Wednesday, 24th July, 1850, agreeably to notice,
for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the Inhabitants of said County
in reference to a Railroad froi.i Halitax to Digby. On motion, the Sheriff
was appointfrt Chairman, and Wm. W. Chipman, Secretary. It was

Resolved — 1. That it is the opinion of this meeting that a Railroad
from Halifax to Digby Gut would be of the greatest importance, not only
to this County, but to all the western part of the Province, as well as to
Halifax and St. John, N. B , as it would give to the inhabitants of the
level and fertile Valley reaching from the River Shubenacadie to Di^rby a
speedy and easy transit to market, a, leady communication from Elalifax to
St John, N. B., and along the whole line, shortening the distance from the
two Cities over one hundred mil^s to that of a line on the North of the
Bay of Fundy, and at far less expense than the Northern one for the same
distance.

26

Resolted— 2d. That it is the opinion of tliig meeting that the Inhabi-
tants of this County will cheerfully furnish the Land that is necessary for
a Riiilroad passini; through it; also aid with their money, labor and materi-
als to the utmost of their ability, in shares amounting to £25,000.

Resolved— 3d. That two Delegates be appointed to meet the Conven-
tion at Portland, in the United States of America, on the thirty-first day of
July instant, ivith instructions tu promote and influence, as far as po.ssible,
the decision in connecting St. John with Halifax by Railroad through An-
napolis, King's and Haut's Counties, and that John C. Hall, Esquire, M.
P. P., and Samuel Chipman, Esquire, be the Delegates.

Resolved— 4th. That the said Delegates be instructed by this meeting
to call upon the Delegates from Halifax, Windsor, and elsewhere, to give
tills line their favorable consideration and support.

Kentville, Kipo'b Codntt, )
24th July, iH50. 5

Wm. C. CAMPBELL, Chairman.
Wm. H. chipman, Sctre/ary.

Mr. Poor, of Portland, presented a memorial from the innabhants
of Pictou, in favor of the Amherst route, (round the head of the

Bay.)

Court House, Town of Pict«u, )
18th July, 1850. 5

At a meeting, held this day, of the freeholders of this County, pursuant
to a call of the Sheriff m accordance with a requisition for tiiat purpose,

William H. Harris Esq., Deputy Sheriff, was called to the Chair, and
A. C. McDonald, Esq , nominated Secretary.

Jas. D. B. Fraser, Esq., stated the objects of the meeting, and alter ad-
dr>>sses from Dr. Anderson, Thomas Dickson, Esq., A. C McDonald, A.
P. Ross, and B. H. Norton, Esq., the American Consul, on motion of Jas.
D. B. Fraser, seconded by Mr. Robert Dawsoi, it was unanimously

Resolved, That in common with other sections of the Province of Nova
Scotia, the County of Pictou has enter' ained and expressed a deep interest
in the Halifax and Quebec Railroad as originally projected, and confidently
hoped that by the cordial and united action of the three Provinces and the
powerful aid of the mother country, that magnificent and useful national
undertaking might have been at once entered upon — that without abandon-
ing the hope of the ultimate completion of a line of Railroad which shall
traverse the British Provinces and terminate on the Ailantic coast of Nova
Scotia, this meeting is reluctantly forced to admit that the project must now
be viewed as indefinitely postponed. Moved by John Taylor, and seconded
by James Ciiohton, and

'•]

27

Resolved— 2d. That this meeting liaa observed with lively interest tlic
movemi'nt at present taking place in tlie United Slates and the Province of
New Brunswick, and is of opinion that the scheme now proposed fjr ex-
tending the lines of Railway at pre. .nt constructed in the State of Maine
througii the Provinces of .New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, to Halifax, or
some eastern port in Nova Scotia, by way of Amherst, is the most feasible
plan yet suggested for the building a line of trunk Railway through these
Provinces as a link in the grand line of comnuinication between the old
and new world, and is therefore deserving of the warmest support of every
colonist. Moved by Mr. Robert Dawson, seconded by Hugh H. Ross Esq.
West River, and

Resolved, 3d,That the Chairmi n of this meeting be authrrized to forward
a certified copy of the Resolutions to the Chairman of the Convention at
Portland, and ihal he also transmit a duplicate to the Hon. G. R. Young,
and express to him the wish of this meeting, that in the event of his at-
tending the Convention, he, as one of ihi Representatives of this County,
use his influence to carry out the object of this meeting. After a vote of
thanks to the President and Secretary, the meeting adjourned.

WILLIAM H. HARRIS, Chairman.
A. C. MACDONALD, Secretary.

Memorial presented by Dr. Bayard, of St. John, N. B., Delegate
from Annapolis, N. S., embodying sentiments of a meeting held in
that place, of the same purport as that presented by Hon. Mr.
Johnston, which was signed by

WM. RANDALL,
JAS. J. RITCHIE,
PETER BONNET,
SAMUEL B. CHIl'MAN,
RICHARD AMES,

WALTER WILLETT,
F. W. PICKMAN,*
ALFRED WHITMAN,*
AUSTIN WOODBURY,
JOSEPH WHEELOCK,

JAMES R. SMITH, Chairman of Committee of Management-

* TlicHC two gentlemen were on Committee to prepare Memorial.

J. B. D. Frazer, Esq., M. P. P. of W indsor, N. S., presented
Reports, Plan and Estimates in regard to the Halifax and Windsor
Railroad, published by order of the Government of Nova Scotia, —
also, miautes of the proceedings of House of Assembly in relation
thereto, as follows :

28

Extract from the Journals of the House of Assembly, Tuesday and
Wednesday. 26th and 27lh March, 1850.

The order of tlie day for tlie House again to resolve itself into a Com-
mittee, on the subject of ihe Halifax and Windsor Railroad being read,

The Houf resolved itself into such Committee.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Dimock took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

The Chairman reported from the Committee that they had gone through
the subject under consideration, and iiad come to a Resolution in relation
thereto, which they had directed him to report to the House, and he de '.y-
ered the same in, at thi> Clerk's table, where it was read, and is as follows :

"Resolved, That whenever a Company shall be formed for the con-
struction of such Railroad, the Executive Government shall be and is
<;. eby authorized to subscribe for one half the necessary Stock, under
. i ■!■ ds and restrictions as may appear to the Governor in Council,

jud; , or as may be hereafter prescribed by the Legislature."

And the said Resolution being acain read, was upon the question put
thereon agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That the Clerk do carry the Resolution to the Council, and
desire their concurrence.

On Wednesday, 27th, 1850, the Council, by message, informed the
House tliat they had agreed to the Resolution in relation to the proposed
Railroad from Halifax to Windsor.

(Signed) A. JAMES, C. A.

Proceedings of a meeting, held in the County of Westmorland,
presented by Hon. E. B. Chandler.

At a meeting of the Principal Inhabitants of the County of
Westmorland, held at the Court House in Dorchester, on Tuesday,
the twenty-third day of July, 1850, called by the High Sheriff, in
pursuance of a Requisition for that purpose.

The Hon. William Crane having been called to the Chair, and
Thomas S. Sayre, Esq. requested to act as Secretary, the following
Resolutions were unanimously passed.

Moved by Stephen Binney, Esq., Seconded by John Robb, Esq.

^'Eisolved, As the opinion of this meeting, that the construction of the
proposed line of Railway from the Frontier of the United States around
the head ot the Bay of Fundy to Halifax, is of the utmost importance to

29

111'' welfare and prosperity of this Province, am! that the Inhabitnnts of
this County, in particular, should promote tlie underiaking by every means
in their power ; therefore

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to correspond and co-operate
witl» such Committees as may be appointed in St. John, or elsewhere, for
the purpose of organizing Companies, and taking such other steps as may
be necessary for prornuting this great work as speedily as possible, and
that the following gentlemen do compose such Committee? :

Hon. VVM. CR.\NE,
Hon. DAKL II ANNINGTON,
BLISS BOliSFORD, Esq.,
ROBERT CHAPMAN, Es(i.,
Hon. a. E. BOTSFORU,

Ho.v. E. B. CIIAiNDLER,
STEPHEN BINNEY, Es.*.
W. H. BUCKERFD, Esci.
JOHN ROBB, Esq.,
THOS. S. SAYRE, Esq.

That the Committee have power to add to their number, and that any
three members form a quorum."

Moved by Hon. D. Hannington, Seconded by Bliss Bofsford, Esq.

"Resolved, That it is the duty, as well as the interest, of the Inhabitants
of this County, to promote the undertrMng by liberally subscribing for
Stock therein."

Moved by John Robb, Esq., Seconded by Mr. John Hickman, Jr.

'^Resolved, That a Delegation be now appointed by this meeting to at-
tend the proposed Railroad Convention, to be held at Portland in the State
of Maine, on the Slstinst, and that the Hon. A E BOTSFORD, Hon.
E. B CHANDLER, and STEPHEN BINNEY Esq., be the Delegates
for that purpose."

WILLIAM CRANE, Chairman.
THOMAS J. SAWYER, Secretary

Resolutions, Sec, of a meeting in the County of Colchester, N. S.,
presented by John Ross, Esq., of Truro.

Railwav Meeting, County of Colchester, )
20th July, 1850. 5

Public notice having been given by the Sheriff of the County that a
meeting would be held at the Court Hcise in Truro on the 20lh. day of
July inat. At the hour appointed a respectable n>eeting assembled — when
Alex. L. Archibald, Esq., M, P. F. was chosen Chairman, and Ebeh,
F. MuiiRO, Esq , Secretary.

The object of the Meeting wag stated by the Chairman, and its impor-
tance pressed upon the audience. And af\er some animated and urgent

30

appcaU being made by Messrs. Robs, A. G. Arcliibald, and others. The
following llfsolutions were passed unanimously.

IIesoi.vei) — 1. Tliat the people of thisCounty assembled in Public Meet-
ing, have on repealed occasions expressed, and now repeat the expression
of their desire to promote in all possible wayi^the Halifax and Quebec Rail-
way. That in the opinion of this meeting the proposal recently made to
connect Halifax witii St. John and Bangor, via. Calais by which the stream
of travelling from Europe to the United States and back, shall be made to
pass through our Province is one of vast importance whether viewed by
itself or in connection with the original project, and recommends itself to our
hearty concurrence and support,

Resoltkd — 2d. That this meeting entertain the same convictions which
have been expressed at former meetings of the County, that the Mineral,
Agricultural, andC ommercial resources of the Counties of Halifax, HautR,
Colchester, Cumberland, and Pictou, are of themselves sufficient to war-
rant the building of a Railway from Halifax to the border of New Bruns-
wick ; that the proposal now made to consider this a section of a great Trunk
Railway permeating every State of the Union, adds greatly to the prospect
of a profitable investment : and to show the entiresincerity of this meeting
in the views they express they ore willing that the County of Colchester
may be pledged to support the section through Nova Scotia to the extent of
four thousand pounds per annum : considering this portion of the road ap-
plicable to either or both routes, from Halifax to Bangor, and from Halifax
to Quebec.

Resolved — 3d. That this County with a view to bring in the most effi-
cient form before the meeting to take place at Portland on the 31st inst., the
views and feelings ot the County of Colchester in connection with the
above mentioned Railroad and to ascertain in return the views and feelings
of the inhabitants of tiie North-Eastern States will appoint delegates to at-
tend the Convention.

Resolved — 4th. That in the opinion of this meeting the Legislature
should be-petitioned to make their pledge of £20,000 given to guarantee the
interests on the portion of the Road within this Province as part of the
Halifax and Quebec Railway, applicable to the same section road, whether
to form part of either or both of the above routes.

Resolved— 5th. That the Messrs. John Ross, and Hiram Hyde be ap-
pointed delegates to attend the Convention at Portland.

Resolved— 6th. That a subscription list be opened for the purpose of
raising funds to pay the necessary expenses.

The thanks of the meeting were then given to the Chairman for his effi-
cient conduct in the chair, and the meeting separated elated with the pros-
pect now opening before them of having a Railway.

A. L. ARCHIBALD, Chairian.
E. F. MUNRO, Secrilarv.

31

The

Papers presented and statements made by Mr. Kerr, in reference
to the "nearest possible, route " &c., which he requested to be al-
lowed to demonstrate before the Committee on Business — a request
which was, on motion, granted him.

At a public meeting at Wallace in the County of Cumberland the 23d
day of July, ISoO, for the purpose o( taking into consideration the proprie-
ty of sending a delegate from this place, to thb convention to be held at
Portland, Me., on the 31st. inat. , for the purpose of adopting such measures
as rr.ay tend to forward the construction of a Railway from the city of Ban-
gor, through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, tu some suitable terminus
on the Eastern shore of this Province.

JoFin Macfari.and in the Chair, and William B. Oxlet, Secretary.

The Chairman having opened the meeting by fully explaining ihe pur-
pose of the meeting and the necessity of the same.

Josep^i N. B. Kerr, Esq., Stephen Fulton, Esq., M. P. P. for the County.
Rev. W. fieels, severally adressed the meeting upon the importance of the
Railroad and the necessity of sending u Delegate from the place. Where-
upon the following resolutions were unanimously passed :

lat. Moved by John Hill, Esq , seconded by Robert Greeder —

Resolved, Th«t this meeting being fully aware of the great importance
of a Railread, fr^m the city of Bangor, U. S., leading through New Bruns-
wick ond Nova Scotia; highly appreciate the interest which the citizens of
the Slate of Maine arc taking in order to favor its construction.
2d. Moved by Doctor S. Mitchel, seconded by William McNab, —
Reiolvep, That it is highly necessary that a fit tmd proper person be
appointed by this meeting as a delegate to the said Convention to co-operate
with R. B. Dickey, Esq., appointed as a delegate by the Western end of
the County.

3d. Moved by Thomas Morris, Esq., seconded by John Hill, —
Resolved, That Joseph N. B. Kerr, Esq., be appointed by the meeting
as a delegate from the Eastern end of this County — to attend the said
Portland Convention. JOHN McFARLAND, Chairman.

W. B. OXLEY, Secretary.

At a Public Meeting held in the Town Hall, Pugwash, the 23d. July,
185U, the folio winglResolutions were passed unanimously :

Resolved— 1. That whereas this meeting being fully impressed with the
conviction that great advantages would be derived by the people of these
Provinces and the Sister Province of New Brunswick, by a Railroad, pass-
ing through them to connect with the Railroad now in the course of construc-
tion in the State of Maine,— Do further resolve that the better route would
be the land line fror- the city of St. John, N. B., to Amherst, N. S., from
thence to Halifax by the most approved line.

32

Resoi.tjcd --2d. Tlint whereas R. B. Dickpy, Esq., having been nomi-
nated and appointed as a delcjjale to the ineetng of delegates lo be held in
Portland, Stale of Maine, on tiie 31rtt. inst , to advocate the interest of the
Western Section of the County of Cumberland — do further resolve to
nominate and appoint some eflicient person to attend at the said meeting ot
delegates to attend to the interests of t)ie people in the Eastern Section of
the County.

Rksolvk-1— 3d. That whereas Joseph N. 13. Kerr, Esq., of Wnll.ice hav-
ing laken an early interest on the Railroad question and having devoted
much time and moiiey both in this Province and in Great Britain in en-
deavoring to urge the construction of a Railway from some Atlantic Port
in Nova Scotia to Quebec, and being well acquainted with the statistics of
Railroads as well as with the nature of the localities through which the
projected Railroad would be likely to run ; this meeting do further resolvo
that the said J. N. B. Kerr be solicited to attend the meeting of Dele-
gates to be held at Portland, State of Maine, on the Slst. inst., and that
he be requested not to urge at said meeting any particular Port as the Por^
of terminus.

Resot.ted— 4th. That Joseph N. B. Kerr, Esq., be presented with a copy

of the foregoing resolutions, and this meeting do further acquaint the said

J. N. B. Kerr that this meeting has every confidence in him as a delegate,

knowing that he will advance the interftsts of this section of the County as

far as possible. COLEN REED, Chairman.

WM. COOPER, Stcretary.
PuGWASH, 33d July, 1850.

■

^

Proceedings of a meeting held at Amherst, Cumberland Coun-
ty, N. S., presented by John A. Poor, Esq.

RAILWAY MEETING AT AMHERST, NOVA SCOTIA.

Pursuant to a requisition to the High Sheriff, a public meet-
ing of the inhabitants of the County of Cumberland was held in
the County Court House on Tuesday the sixteenth instant, to
take into consideration what steps should be adopted to forward
the proposed scheme of a Railway around the head of the Bay
of Funday to Halifax in connection with an American line through
Portland, Calais, &c. — The meeting was attended by a large
number of the leading men of all parties, who appeared alive to
its object, and disposed to urge onward the scheme by all possi-
ble means.

Joshua Chandler, Esq., High Sheriff, was called to the Chair.

way,
deler

33

A. Mucfarlanc, E:»<[., appointed Secretary. And the following
Rpsnlutions, after being discussed r.nd warmly commended by
numerous gentlemen, who addressed the meeting, in their luvor,
were put and carried unanimously.

Moved by Robert B. Dickey, Esq., seconded by James Fuller-
ton, Esq.

1. Resolved, Tluit this inuoting \» deeply impressed wilh the importance to the
interest of this County iis well as of tlie I'rovince at large, of a lino of Riiiiway
ti) conn(!et Miilifax with tho .American frontier by the head of the Hay of I'undy
and St. John, Calais, &c.

Moved by James L. Morse, Esq., seconded by Jamc.« W. De-
laney.

2. iti'so/ytvZ, That the advantage of such a line embracing a large portion of
the traffic to the United States, and the Canadas, St. John, and the most popu-
lous portions of New Brunswick, Prince Edward's Island, and the (iulf of Ht.
Lawrence with that of Pictou, Colchester, Cumberland and Halifax Counties,
are so obvious, that this meeting.convinced that the stock of this great Railway will
be a most profitable investment, desire to record their opinion that the peoph; of this
County will embark largely according to their means in the undertaking, by tak-
ing stock, subscribing land, labor, &c.

Moved by Dr. Tupper, seconded by John D. Kinnear, Esq.

3. Resolved, That Robert B. Ciclw.,,, Esq., be appointed a delegate to repre-
sent the interests of this County at the proposed Convention to he held in Pcrt-
'and, on the 31st inst., and to assure that body of the warm interest felt by the
inhabitants of Cumberland in the progress of this noble undertaking.

Moved by Robert McCally, Esq., seconded by James Page,
Esq.

4. Resolved, That the Chairman and Secretary of this meeting be desired to
forward a copy of these proceedings to the Provincial Secretary, and to respect-
fully invite the countenance and co-operation of the Provincial Government, in
reference to the objects of this meeting, and that copies thereof be also transmit-
ted to the Committee appointed at a public meeting held in St. John on Saturday,
the 6th inst., and to the Convention at Portland.

John Bent , Esq., was then called to the Chair, and on motion
of James Page, Esq., seconded by W. W. Bent Esq.,M. P. P.,
the unanimous thanks of the meeting were tendcrd to the Chair-
man, and after three cheers for the Halifax and Portland Rail-
way, the meeting dispersed, to meet again on the return of their
delegate from the Portland Convention.

JOSHUA CHANDLER, Chairman.
A. Macfarlane. Secretary.
Amherst, July, 1850.

31

Proceedings of a meeting held at Annapolis Royal, was present-
ed by John A. Poor, Esq.,

At a meeting held at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, on the
IGth July, 1850, " pursuant to a requisition to the High Sher-'F
of the County," for the purpose of eliciting an expression of the
feeling of this County, with regard to the laying of a lineof rail-
way proposed to be constructed to Halifax, in connection with
that now in progess from Portland to Calais, in the United Stat s,
Edward II. Cutler, Esq., was unanimously called to the chair,
and Edward C. Cowling, Esq., Secretary.

F. W. Pickman, Esq., Robert Byard,Esq., M. D.» and other
gentlemen, then addressed the meeting.

Moved by Alfred Whitmen, Esq., M. P. P., and unanimously,

Resolved, That a comiriittee be appointed to co-operate with coiiunittecH to be
appointed at Bridgetown and Wihnot, or from any other section of tiie County,
for the furtheriince of the object of this meeting, and to report their proceedings
to the next meeting at Annapolis.

The committee to consist of the following gentlemen, viz :

James J. Ritchie, Peter Bonnett, and Walter Willett, Esqs.

A draft of a memorial was then submitted by F. W. Pickman,
Esq., addressed to the convention at Portland, which was unan-
imously adopted. >

Resolved, That a committe of three, to consist of the following gentlemen, viz:
Peter Bonnett, Alfred Whitman, and F. W. Pickman, Esqs., be appointed for
the purpose of forwarding a copy of said memorial to the Convention at Portland.

F. W. Pickman was unanimously chosen a delegate to pro-
ceed to Portland.

Moved by Robert Bayard, Esq., M. D., and seconded by Al-
fred Whitman, Esq., M. P. P., and—

Resolved, That a memorial to the Governor and Council be prepared, praying
that a line of Railway from Windsor to the Annapolis Gut be immediately ex-
plored.

The thanks of the meeting were then voted to Dr. R. Bayard,
and also to the Chairman and Secretary.
The meeting then adjourned sine die.

Edward H. Cutler, Chairman.
Edward C. Cowling, Sec'y.

Resolutions of a meeting at St. John, N. B., presented by
Hon. J. H. Gray, M. P. P.

,

35

PUBLIC MEKTING-TIIK EASTERN RAIL ROAD.

One of the largest, most respectable, nrul most oiitliiisiastic
public meeting:! ever htid in St. John, took place at tlio Court
House yesterday afternoon, to take into consideration the circular
addressed to this City by inhabitants of Portland, on the subject
of the Great Eastern R. Road The high Sheriff, C. Johnston,
Esq., was put in the Chair by acclamation, and VV. R. M. Hurtis,
Esq., called upon to act as Sec'ry. VVe have not time today to
notice the respective speeches, all of which were very excellent
and to the purpose. Aa a proof of the enthusiasm of the meet-
ing, several of the speakers, backed up their remarks, by prom-
ising to take stock in tho contemplated line, in the several sums
of JE500, jEIOOO and JE-2000. The inhabitants of New Brumswick
may fully make up their minds that the Eastern Rail Road w ill
be built, f.nd it is the duty of every one, poor and rich, to step
forward when the time arrives, and subscribe in accordance with
their means. Success to the cause, we say, with all our heart.
The following are the

RESOLUTIONS :

Moved by Edward Allison, Esq., seconded by J. H. Gray,
Esq.

1. Resolved, That this meeting heartily approves of tlie projected line of rail-
way from Calais in the State of Maine, through New Brunswick, by St. John,
Sussex Vale, around the head of the Bay of Fundy, through Westmoreland
and Cumberland, to Halifax, as affording an uninterrupted Railway Comnninica-
tion at all seasons, for passengers, mails, and traffic, between Europe and all [)arts
of North America.

Moved by James Whitney Esq., seconded by William Wright
Esq.,

2. Resolved, As the opinion of this meeting, that the contemplated Lineof rail-
way besides being eminently useful and advantageous both to New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia, cannot fail to Iw profitable to its proprietors.

Moved by Robert Jardine, Esq., seconded by M. H. Perley,
Esq.

3. Resolved, That it is the duty, as it certainly is the uiterest of every inhabi-
tant of New Brunswick, to aid to the best of his ability, either in money, land,
labor, or materials, the construction of this Trunk Railway, which will so greatly
tend to advance the prosperity of the whole Province.

36

Moved by R. D. Wilmot, Ksq., spconded l>y W. J. Ritcliio,
Es(i ,

». Rrvilvfil, Thiit lii'stidi'H the nHnintanci! which it Ia ilii- duty of thn peopin of
New Flrunswirk iriilividuiiUy, to givis to thn Rnilwiiy uiuh'r roiiHidcnlion, thi!
f,fg'Hl,itiirc nlioiild iiImo hcriilli'd upon to nid in it« ronntruntioii, liy hhcriil grjiiitn
of liiml, and ihn loiin of tin- pul)ii(' rredit.

Moved by D. J. McLauchlan, Esq., seconded by S. L. Tiiley,
Esq.,

5. Rfsolvctl, Thnt thin meeting view witli lively interest the nioveniont
which has recently taken place in Portland (Maine) in reference to the proposed
line of Railway, and will cordially co-operato in any practirahle plan which may
he devised for Hecuring its construction ; and further Flesolved, That this meeting
now proceed to nominate delegates to attend the Railway convention to bo held
at Portland on the 31st inst.

The following list of gentlemen nominated as delegates, was
read by the High SherifT, and carried unanimously — viz :

His Worship the Mayor ; the High Sheriff ; the Recorder ;
the Attorney General ; the Advocate General ; D. J. McLauch-
lan ; Edward Allison ; Robert Jardine ; Dr. Bayard ; J. H.
Gray ; Mr. Jack ; M. H. Perley ; J. C. Littlchale ; Tames
MacFarlano ; John Soars ; Otis Small ; Joel Reading ; ' lund
Kaye ; Thomas E. Millidge ; A. McL. Seely.

Moved by VVm. Wright, Esq., seconded by Robert Payne,
Esq.,

6. Reso' fed, That this meeting fully approves the preliminary steps which have
been taken by the Committee appointed at a meeting called by the Chamber of
Commerce, on the 6th inst., and is gratified to learn that an exploratory survey
of the line for a rail-way from this City to Calais, has already been officially or-
dered.

Moved by J. H. Gray, seconded by Wm. Wright, Esq.

7. Resolved, That the thanks of this meetieg are due and are hereby tendered
to the different Telegraph Companies between Halifax and Portland for their
gratuitous services rendered in behalf of the projected Railway.

Moved by H. Porter, Esq., seconded by R. D, Wilmot, Esq.

8. Resolved, That the Chairman do leave the chair, and His Whorship the
Mayor take the same, which being carried, it was moved and seconded by the
same gentlemen that the thanks of the meeting be given to the high Sheriff for his
very dignified and impartial conduct in the Chair — carried unanimously, as were
also all of the preceding resolutions."

I

37

Prncecdings of n meeting nt St. Stephens, prcHcntrd by

Geor<^(! 'I'lininpson, Hsq.

/ St. SrLi'iiK.N-, N. IJh! N«wii K, >

• July 2H, IHftO. )

Thi.4 may ccrtiry, tint ;it a piililii' iiii'illni^ lulil al tliii placi- on 23<l iiitt., n-la.
li\)! til till' riiiiti'iii|iiati-il llailroiil liiMwi'i'ii llalil'as and i'ortlaml,

Tht> uiulurnaiMisl gi'iitlfiiiun wi-r<> iiriaiiiiiiou^ly cIumhii (leltgatrx to atli'iul the
roiui'iitiiiii to iiii'i't at I'ortlaiul on tin; 3li4t July, ii).«tuiit, arul at wliii'li iiii-(>titi}(
till* tiilliiwin|( ri'Kiiliitioiis wcn^ |ia.-<s(^ :
Hon. (f. S. Ilii.i,, <f. J. 'I'lioMPHON, Fj*!].,

James Hhown, F.>«|., (J. .^^. I'ortkh, r,m|.,

NoKMAN r>i.\i)SAV, 1m(|., Nkiikmiah .Maiiks, Ks(|.

Reholved, That tlii)* inuuting cnnlially apiirove of thi> contoinplati-J tlail-
roaJ from Calais, in Maine, anil St. StrpheiH, in N<^w Itninswick, rminil tlif
llio liuail of tilt! Bay of Finuly to Halifax, iit as iiiucli as it will, vvlirii irii't liy a
Railroad from I'ortiaiid to Calais, alford an uniiiti.'rruptud railroad coiiiiiiunicu-
tion, at all times, for transportation and travel, bntweCn Europe and llie I'niteU
States and Canada.

2. Resolved, .\9 the opinion of the meeting, that n project ho intimately con-
nected with the prosperity of these Colonies, demands and would receive their
hearty concurrence and Hupport, ud also the support of their respective K'j;isl.i-
tures.

3. Resolved, Aa tho opinion of thi:4 meeting, that the Railroad, whilst it
advanced the material interests of the lower Colonics, w ild soon Lecome a
j)rofitable inveatnient to the proprietors.

4. Resolved, That this mseting will cordially unite with the people of
Maine, in any feasable plan for securing the construction of the said Railroad
from Portland to Halifax.

And further. Resolved, that this meeting do now proceed to appoint dele-
gates to attend the Railroad Convention to be holden at I'ortland, on 3lst July,
instant.

VVM. TODD, Jr., ChairiiKin.
Robert Watson, Secretary.

Proceedings of a meeting at Frederickton, presented by Hon.
Charles Fisher.

On Tuesday evening, a numerous and most respectable meet-
ing was held in the County Courthouse, for the purpose
of appointing delegates to proceed to the great meeting to
be held shortly in Portland, Me., to deliberate on the survey of
the Great Trunk Line from Calais to Halifax. The Resolutions
were most ably supported; and were, without an exception,
passed unanimously.

38

Moved by Capt. Chrstnut, seconded by Piofcssor Robb, of
King's College,

I. Kknolvkii, TliMt tills jiipptirig rordiully .ipprnvc!) of tlic spirited flinrts
wliicli are being nimle to ostiiblish a railway roimiiunication to coniipct Halifax,
liy the way of this Froviiioo, with the great railroad lines of the I'nited States.

Moved by Asa Coy, Esq., seconded by H. Fisher, Esq

2nd. That the erection of such a line connecting a Nova Scotia Port, by '.lie
route to this I'rovince, with the railway facilities of tne United States, and there-
by making the strciin of European and American travel and tra^'.ic to pass
THROUGH Instead of by us, must be of vast advantage to all tnu material in-
tere.sts of New Brun.<wick.

Moved by W. J. Bedell, Esq., seconded by J. S. Beek, Esq.

3rd. That we believe 'lie interests of this City atid Province at large, require
that we should uii!i! with our fellow subjects in other portions of this Province
and of Nova Scotia, in asinrtaiiiing the practicability of cirrying out an under-
taking pregnant with such important and beneficial o(.nsequences.

Moved by Capt. Chestnut, seconded by Charles McPuerson,
Esq.

4tli. Tiiat in order to this, we willingly undertake to co-operate in the pro-
jmsed Railroad Convention, to be held at Portland, Me., on the 31st of the pres-
ent month.

Moved by R. Fuhon, Esq., seconded by James Taylor, Esq.

5th. That Charles Fisher, SpatFord Barker, F. W. Hatheway, Charles Mc-
I'herson, John Wilkinson, John Simpson, James Taylor, J. 'lobb, George Bits-
ford, J. A. Street, and the Hen. Attorney (Jeneral, do compose and be a delega-
tion from the city of Frederickton, to represent us and our interests at the said
Convention.

Moved by Mr. Troiighton, and seconded by Mr. Temple.

Pth. That Capt. Chestnut and Wlliam Watts, Jr., Esq., be a Committee to
solicit the services of "iio said gentlemen as delegates.

Moved by H. Fisher, Esq., seconded by James Hogg.

7th. That the AFayor ' e requested to certify under the City Seal, and with the
usual formalities, the appointment of the said gentlemen as such delegates.

In connection with some e.vcellent explanatory remarks made
by the Chairman, and afterwards by William Watts, Jr. Esq.,
the audience was jubsequontly addressed by John A. Street, S.
Barker and J. T. Smith, Esquires, aiiJ several other gentlemen,
who, although not speaking immediately to any Resolutions, ap-
peared to be all actuated by the same laudable desire to en-
courage t^^e object contemplated by the meeting

JAMES HOGG, Secretary.

;

39

At a meeting of tlie Delegates appointed to attend at tlic Port-
land Railroad Convention, lield at the Crown Land Ollice, on
Thursday, the 25th inst., it was —

Unanimounly Rcnolvcl, That the thiiiiks of the Ih-lfgatt-u In- given to W'il-
huii. Watts, Jr., F.sq., for his vaiuablu scrvici-s in proiriotiiig the ol)j<'Ct of the
di'h'gatioii.

.Ind further Resolved, unanimously, T at Mr. Wiitts be roquesteU to lavor
the delegatioii with liis jjcrvices on that ocaasion.

Dr. Bayard presented the following paper: —

At a public meeting, he'd at Mr, Quirk's room, in Bridge-
town, in accordance with an advertisement, on Wednesday, July
17th, at 4 o'clock, P. M., for the purpose of taking into con-
sideraiion the propriety of establishing a Railroad through the
County of Annapolis to Halifax, —

It was moved by Peter Bonnett, Esq., that the Rev. James
Robertson do take the chair; which, being seconded by Dr. R.
Ijayard, passed unanimously.

It being moved by Peter Bonnet, Esq , and seconded by Dr.
Bayard, that Mr. W. Shipley do act as Secretary, massed ac-
cordingly.

The meeting being fully organized, the chairman rose and
requested Dr. Bayard to give the meeting any information he
might possess, upon the subject of the proposed railway, which
ho did, in a very lucid address to th.e chairman on the route
through the County of Annapolis, from Victoria Beach, in Gran-
ville, to Halifax, with the best modes of construction, &.c.

Dr. Bayard then called on Edward Cowling, Esq , to read the
Memorial to the Portland Convention, adopted by the meeting
held at Annapolis, on the IGth instant, and thereupon on the
motion of James R. Smith, Esq., seconded by Peter Bonnett,
Esq., —

1st. Resolved, That the Memorial to the Portland Convention, adopted by the
meeting held at Annapohs on the ICth inst., be adopted by tliis meeting; passed
unanimously.

When it was moved by James R. Smith, E. q., and seconded
by Mr. Thomas Chesley, a'ld thereupon,

2dly. Resolved, That this meeting heartily enters into the feelings of thos(
who are favorable to a I'.ne of railroad through the vale of Annapolis, the town-
ship of Aylesford, and the Counties of Kings and Hunts, to the city of ILilifux,

40

in tmnection with a line of railway to Portland and Boston; and ns an earnest
of tht! sincnrity of this I'xpn.'ssion, every niemher of this meeting pledges himself
to ns(! every etlbrt in his power, to assist in carrying out ho dcsirahlu an object,
either by money, lands, or labor, as, from time to time, he may he retiuired to
ufFord. Passed ununimomhj.

It was moved by Silas L. Morse, Esq., and seconded by Rich-
ard James, Esq.,

3dly. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that a Memorial be pre-
])ared and submitted to the F'xecutivt! Government, praying that a survey be
made through the western part of the Province, from Windsor to Victoria Beach,
in Cir:'.nville, as a site for a railway; and, that the members representing the
(,'ounty of Annapolis, be invited to support the same. Passed unanimously.'

It was moved by James R Smiih, Esq., and seconded by
Richard James, Esq.,

4th'y. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the services of the
Hon. J. VV. Johnston, if they could be obtained, would be of the greatest benefit
to the cause; but we regret that, from the present sitting of the Supreme Court
in Halifax, where that gentlemen's professional services require his constant at-
tention, we are prevented from obtaining his advocacy of our interests at the
Convention to be held in Portland, on the Slst of July, instant.

Resolved, That Dr. 11. Bayard be our Delegate at that Convention. Passed
luianimously.

It was moved by Walter Willett, Esq., and seconded by Rich-
ard James, Esq. ,

Stilly. Resolved, That the following gentlemen, James R. Smith, Estj., Rich-
ard James, Esq., and Joseph Wheelock, liiq., be a committee to co-operate with
the committee appointed at .\nnapolis and the committee to be appohited at Wil-
mot, tor the purpose of attending to the interests, and carrying out the views o'
the people of Ainiapolis in furthering the establishment of the proposed railway.
Passed unanimously.

It was moved by James R. Smith, Esq., and seconded by
Richard James Esq.,

dthly. Resolved, That Mr. Gilbert Fowler, Joseph Wheelock, Esq., and Mr.
Edward Ruggles, be a committee for collecting funds to defray the expenses of
the delegates to the Convention at Portland. Passed unanimously.

It was moved by Peter Bennett, Esq , and seconded by D'ias
L, Morse Esq.,

Tthly. Resolved, That it be an Instruction to the delegates, to obtain the as-
.sistance of John Wilson, E.sq., of St. Andrews, in behalf of our railway. Passed

vnanlmotisly.

It was moved by James R. Smith, Esq., and seconded by
Richard James, Esq.,
Sthly. That Dr. R. Bayard do take the chair—

41

When the thanks ot'tha meeting were given to the Rev. Jas.
Robertson for lu3 very able conduct in the ci.a"*",

It was moved by Edward Cowling, Esq., seconded by Silas
L. Morse, Esq.,

9tlily. Tliat the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. William Shiph'v, for
his services as secretary.

The Rev. James Robertson returned thanks for the remarks
to himself, and observed that he should at all times endeavor to
forward the prosperity of the railway.

N. B. Before the Chairmou left the chair, the thanks of the
meeting were given, unanimously, to Dr. R. Bayard for the in-
terest he took in the cause, and for his able advocacy of the

same.

JAMES ROBERTSON, Chairman.

Bridgetown, July 17th, 1850.

Resolutions, Stc, of a meeting at Calais, presented by Hon.
A. G. Chandler.

RAILROAD MEETING.

At a meeting of the citizens of Calais, at the Office of Geo.
W. Dyer, Monday evening, July 2'2d, to choose delegates to at-
tend the Railroad Convention, to be held at Portland, on the
31st inst., Hon. Anson G. Chandler was chosen Chairman, and
Edward S. Dyer, Secretary.

A. G. Chandler, S. R. Hanscom andG. W. Dyer, were cho-
sen a Committee to draft Resolutions, to be presented ai un
adjourned meeting, to be held at He u's Hall, to-morrow
evening. Adjourned.

Juli/ 23. Horton's Hall. Meeting called to ordrr by the
Chairman.

The Committee on Resolutions reported the following —

Resolved, That this meeting regard the suggestion made from other quarters
of the feasibility and propriety of the Railroad from Bangor across Maine, New
Brunswick and Nova Scotiii; to Halifax, or some point most suitable for the ar
rival of European Steamers, as most important to Maine, and not to Maine alon«
but, in view of its connection with our European intercourse, of great interest to
the United States generally, as well as to said Provinces.

Resolved, That though the pecuniary considerations connected with it would,
alone, be adequate, yet, our approbation of the work results not solely froni
them, but also from high moral considerations; believing, as we do, that the

rm

42

lli

more f»('nfiriil tin' iiiti'rroiirr'c hntwpcii this country ;ind thosf Province.-', an<l tiic
interchiiiige of views ami ojiiiiioiis vvliich mich a work would certainly facilitate,
cannot but be prcKJuctive of still greater cordiality between them, and between
us and the country with which they are conncctetl.

Resolreil, Thiit we beli(!ve it to be the interest of Maine, iinintMliately to
cause a thorough prelitiiinary survey of such a route for a Railroad across the
Htale, and that the citizens of Calais will give the project, not only their best
wishes, but, at the proper t'nie, their best eftbrts and effectual aid.

Remlced, That, in view of the facts that Calais is the most direct line in
which a Uailroad can pass from Bangor to St. John; that it is by far the most in-
land point of navigalile waters in said route; that some part of it is open to navi-
gation from the ocean through the whole year; that it must, from necessity, be
the comnitrcia! point for the imports and exports of a large section of country
well adaptwl to agriculture, and exceeded l)y none la its facilities, liy water
power, for manufacturing purjjoses, and is fast increasing in population and
weahh — the contemplated road should cross the boundary of the State within its
limits to St. Stephens in New Brunswick.

Resolved, That the attention now given, through the country, to this subject,
is a high tri])ute to the forecast of the projectors and proprietors of the Calais and
Baring Railroad, in their locating it .vith a view to the ultimate existence of the
great work now under consideration, so that it might then form a portion thereof;
and that they are entitletl to all praise for their energy in pressing it forward to-
wards an early completion.

Resolved, That a Committee of eight persons be elected to represent this
meeting in the great Convention to be holden at Portland, on the 31st inst., by
delegates from various places in the United States and said Provinces, for the
purpose of devising the best means of accomplishing the object referred to.

Voted, That the Resolutions be adopted by this meeting.

The following gentlemen were unanimously elected Delegates,

viz: — Hon. A. G. Chandler, Hon. G. M. Chase, Noah Smith,

Jr., Edward i. Dyer, William Fisk, John Wright, S. R. Han-

scom, and S. G. Tike, Esquires.

Voted, That the Connnittee have power to fill ny vacancies that may occur
in their delegation. '

A. G. CHANDLER, Chairman.
E. S. Dyer, Sec'y.

Resolutions of a nv eting at Bangor, presented by Alber
Holton, Esq., one of a Committee of sixteen from that city.

Resolved, Thai the citizens of Bangor look with great favor upon the contem-
plated line of railroad, connecting Portland with the Eastern line of the State,
and thence continuing through the Province of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia to Halifax, or some point on the sea board, so as to meet the line of At-
lantic steamers between Europe and this country. ^

-13

and ti'ic
Ucililalc,
lietwcen

Rfxohrfl, That iiulcpeiulciit (if its national iispcrt, and itn licnclicial t-HVots
upon other States, we look upon it ao tending to augment the wealth and in-
crease the business of our city, by opening an easier arress to our unocf upii'<l
lands, promoting their more speedy settlement, and, l)y means of branrhe-,
greatly to facilitate il.:, tr,;iT;c l;"tweeii the city and country lying north and e:i-t
of it, and of paramount importance to the whole eastern part of the State.

Resolced, That we think it the duty of the Legislature to cause u reconnois-
sance and survey for such a road, from Bangor to the eastern line of the State.
to such point as will meet the road running through the Province of New Bruns-
wick; and that the delegates chosen at thi.s meeting, to nttcnid the Railroad .Meet-
ing at Portland, on the 31st inst., be requestetl to use their influence to obtain
such aid from the Legislature now in session.

Statistical papers in reference to the Provinces, presented by
R. B. Dickey, Esq., Consular Agent of the United States.

PORT OF WALLACE, (County of Cumberland,) Is'OVA SCOTLA.

An Account of vessels entered Inwards and cleared Outwards, and the value
of Imports and Exports for the years ending 5th Jan. 1847, 1848, 1849 and 1850,
the Coasting trade not being included therein.

Vessels Inw'd.

Vessels Or.tw'd.

Iiu|iorts.

Exports.

No.

Tom. No.

Tons.

Sterling.

Sterling.

Year ending 5th Jan. 1847, 78
Year ending 5th Jan. 1848, 38
Year ending 5th Jan. 1849, 41
Year ending 5th Jan. 1850, 34

15,746
9,073
8,103
7,189

117

74
89
67

22,767
18,462
16,964
17,803

£2,290
£3,200
£3,360

£8,860

£27,468
£22,555
£23,012
£19,500

Custom House, Wallace, JVova Scotia, 20th July, 1850.

JOHN HILL, CO.VTROLLER.

Abstract of Travel for the three following Stations in Nova
Scotia, viz: — from July to December, six months.

ONSLOW.
Horses,
]1,S41
442
261
2,012
836

Wagons.

1 horse, 11,341

2 " 221

3 «' 87

4 " 503
Coaches, 209

Passengers.
In Wagons, 21,571
Footmen, 5,109

Horsemen, 6,070
In coaches, 410

33,140

12,361 14,892

i;: "

44

AMHFJlrtT.

1 horse,

73

73

In wagons,

8,091

2 "

70

140

Horsemen,

1,484

Chaise,

1,073

1,073

Footmen,

1,484

Light Wagons,

3,327

3,327

Coaches,

561

394

1,576

1 1 Ron

4,937 6,099
TEN MILE HOUSE, (near Halifax.)

1 horse,

4,904

4,904

In wagons.

2,874

2 ««

920

1,840

Footmen,

9,131

3 "

255

765

In coaches

1,458

4 "

141

564

Horsemen

1,500

Light can

ages,

1,573

1,573

Coaches,

247

988

13,963

8,040 10,634

Total : Wagons, &c., 25,338— Horses, 31,625— Passengers, 58,723

2 2 2

'' one year, 50,676 63,250 117,446

Local traffic from Halifax to Amherst, at the borders of New
Brunswick, say —

(Population of Halifax, Colchester, Plctou, Cumberland Coun-
ties, in all, 100,000 inhabitants)

100,000 inhabitants, one trip each year, one way at 3

cents per mile, or ^3 75 for 124 miles, . . $575,000
50,000 tons of freight, at ^3 75 per ton, . . . 187,000

$562,000
Off 50 per cent for expenses and contingencies, . . 281,000

6281,000

Interest on cost of 124 miles track at $30,000 per mile,

or, $3,720,000 at 6 per cent., .... 222,200

Surplus,

. $58,800

Hi!

Statement of probable annual value of Exports from the
County of Cumberland, Nova Scotia, compiled from the most
available sources of information, there being no official record

45

of Exports from tho port of Cumberland, and hence of any bul
foreign Exports from Wallace, riz: —

Grindstones, X16,000

Coals, 1,000

Fat Cattle and Horses, 15,000

Pork and Sheep, 5,000

Butter and Cheese, 5,000

Fish, (shad, salmon, herring, &c.,) 2,000
Lumber, Timber, &c., (in addition to exports fwm

Parsborough, Sic,,) 10,000

Off one-fourth, say

Wallace — Per statement herewith,

Add for Vessels exported for sale,

£64,000
14,000

£40,000
20,000
20,000

£80,000

Or, say 0400,000.
Vessels built and launched at Pugwash, in the years 1849

and 1850.

1849

number of Vessels,

7

1,996 t

ons

1850

C( ((

4

1,634

cc

On the stocks,

6

1,980

C(

3,614

((

The same p.i

Wallace.

1850

4 vessels.

1,000

<(

Total, 4,614 «'

Besidf^s vessels building at Vansborough, &c., &c.
Statement of cargoes of Wood shipped from the Port of Cum-
berland, Nova Scotia, to the United States, from January 6th,
to July 5th, 1850, viz: —

Hackmetac Knees. Hackmetac Timber. Spruce Lumber
1854 127 tons 52,765 feet.

In addition to Coals, Grindstones, Plaster of Paris, Potatoes,
&c., for which consular certificates are not usually required by
Shippers.

46

(Jffice of U. S. Consular Agency, ?
Port of Cumberland, N. S., July, 1850. $

R. B. DICKEY,

U. S. Consular Agent,

Cumberland, N. S.

From Custom House Returns, for the year ending January 5,

1850, made for Blue-Book

Port of Pictou.

MANUFACTURES, MINES, &C.

Ships built, 102 — tons, 14,389.

Coal exported, 64,C46 chaldrons ; value, £35,168 stlg.

Building Sloiie, 858 pieces,
Grindstones, 168 " "

Albion Mines— East River, Pictou—
McKenzie quarry, near Pictou,

Ross quarry, ?

Merigonick quarry, $

MANUFACTURES, &C.

2,541
230
Coal
Grindstones

Building Stone.

J. Primrose,

A. P. Ross,

M. Archibald,

G. .^ W. Wade,

D. Hocker,

Clarence Mill, for grain.

Dickson's Mills, "

Tobacco Manufactory

Soap and Candle "

Tannery,

Brewery and Distillery

Brewery.

J. Primrose

Dickson.

W. Lippincourt, Tannery,— New Glascow.

The above in the Township of Pictou.

Port of Pictou — year ending January 5, 1850

VESSELS INWARD.

From Great Britain, 12 vessels.

British Colonies, 230
United States, 337
Foreign States, 4

(1
t<
(I

3,794 tons.
13,592 "
40,999 "
729 ''

Total,

583

59,114

Po
P.

Imports,* sterling value £11,746 1 G. Principally flour, corn, tobac-
co, &c., from United States.

Independent of coasting trade, land carriage, &c.

M

iii'

1

47

VF,SSEr-S Ot'TWARD.

To Great Brituin, 15 vessels,

British Colonies, 209 '«

United States, 511 "

Fortign States, 1 "

I,5S1

ton?

10,854

It

00,075

ii

'JtJ

i(

75,539

Total, 7C5

Exports,* Sterling- value, £5-1,261— principally Cotil
Population of Pictou, 33,000, ten years ago.
Port of Cumberland— Year ending- January 5, 1850

VESSELS INWARD.

From Great Britain, 2 vessels,

British Colonies, 25
United States, 56

43-2 tons.
1,810 "
40,54 '«

Total, 83

Imports, sterling value, £12,467.

VESSELS OUTWARD.

To Great Britain, 5 vessels,

British Colonies, 33 »
United States, 35 •«

6,296 "

1,083 tons.
1.578 "

2,186

4,847

Total, 73
Exports, sterling value, £8,155.
Port of Parsboro' — Year ending January 5, 1850.

VESSELS INWARD.

From Great Britain, 1 vessel, 94 tons.

British Colonies 30 " 1,151 "

United States, 153 «' 10,301 «'

Total, 184 «« 11,546 "

Imports, sterling value, £11,746— principally flour, corn,
tobacco. Sic, from the U. States.

VSSSELS OUTWARD.

To Great Britain, 15 vessels,

British Colonies, 27 "
United States, 119 "

2,323 tons.

933 "
7,767 "

Total,

161

11,022 "

* Independent of coasting trade, land carriage, &c.

Mem. County of Sidney adjoins Pictou, and is a great agricultural and grazing country

1"^

i

I!;, t

48

Kxport, st( rling vnlue, JCG,P89 12 8— pypnuin, minornis,
n|,'ricultural produce, &i-., &.c.

GRAND TOTAF. FOR PICTOU ANO C UMBEBl.ANI).

Vessels, inward and outward, 1,1)50 vessels.

Tonnage, 192,706 tons.

Value of Imports and Exports, £ltJG,7.')3 14 2 stig.

Or say, ^800,000.

In the foregoing returns, the coasting vcascls and trade arc
not included; so the controller of Halifax states.

Returns of Menufactures, Mines, Sic, of Cumberland, for

the year ending 5th January, 18r»0,

103 Saw Mills/")

(Water power to the northward of River
Philip and Maccan.

16 Flour "
6 Oat ««
4 Card'g '«

1 Ship built, 332 tons.

1 Colliery at the Joggins, > ,, , , r.nnr\r, .i
1 '« at Spring flili; \ ^°'^'' ^°'"« ^^.OOO stlg.

6 quarries Grindstone ? r< • i . i j^^^^nn .i

^ on JogPins there \ Grindstones, vuluo £46,000 stig.

Gypsum — various localities, value, £350 per an.
Limestone, «' '' " 550 "

Salt, very valuable ; only partially ? .^^
worked, 5 ^""

Shad, Codfish, Herrings, about
1,000 Bbls.,

1,200

GENERAL REMARKS.

As these fish are taken principally for home consumption, of

which there is no return made, the probable amount and value

only can be given. The Bay of Fundy abounds in fish of all

dessriptions.

Custom House, >

Cumberland, 22d Feb., 1850$

(Signed,) M. GORDON,

Controller.

Besides mills, quarries, shipping, Stc, south of River Philip,
and within limits of Ports Wallace and Vansborough.

Document from the Secretary of the Province of New Bruns-
wick, in regard to a survey from St. John to the American
frontier presented by Wm. H. Perley, Esq.'

* Adding Saw Milln on Eouth side of River Pblliii and Maccan, tUere would be at Ie4«t 2U0
8aw Mills in the whole County.

49

' ."f.ciirT vfi v'« ()i VICE, )

FrtHlt-rirkton, lltih July, is.V). \

Sir: — I ihis diiy liiiilbtforc Hi* Kxrfllpnry the I,i<'iit. (iovernnr. lli*- "IVti-
lidii of the Inhiihitanis of Ihf City of Snint John imil otlii-M," praying for thf rra-
Hanst theruiii sU\Uh\ tiiat a coinpftcrit IliiginoiT iii;>y In- appointc<l to inakt- a pro-
liininary siirvoy of Iho most flij^iliU- route for a Railway lictwicn St. John and
the American frontier, at the expen-c of the (loverntnent, and I am direrted to
inform you that His Kxcellenry has lieen ph'ase<l to romjily willi the same.

I have tile honor to he, Sir,

Vour nuwl oht. «er\anf,

J. It. I'\RTF,I,0\V.
R. Jardine, Esq. Snint John.

On motion of John Ncal, Esq., these papers and all of like
character, were referred to the Comtrittee on Business.

John A. Poor, Esq., on being called upon, read letters ex-
pressive of interest in the success of the undcrtakinir, amonf
others the following:

From the PRESIDENT of the United States—

Washington-, July 27, 1830.
Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the circular of the com-
mittee for the proposed Rail Road Convention to be held at Portland, on the
thirty-first instant, for the purpose of taking into consideration the various schemes
which have been proposed for the construction of a line of Railway thron-'h the
State of Maine to the Lower British Provinces;, and to some good harbor on tiie
Eastern coast of Nova Scotia, together with your kind invitation, in behalf of the
Committee, requesting my attendance at said Convention. I extremely regret
that my official duties hrre will deprive me of the pleasure of being present on
that interesting occasion. But, feeling as I do a deep interest in all subjects of
internal improvement which are calculated to devclope the resources and ad-
vance the great interests of our country, I trust that your proposed Convention
may be productive of the most happy results, and that through it, another link
may be added to that chain which is binding more closely the great commercial
interests of this continent to those of Europe.

With my thanks for your flattering invitation, I am.

Very respectfully, your obedient servent,

MILLARD FILLMORE.
John A. Poor, Esq.,

From Hon. Edward Everett, late Minister Plenipotentiary
from the United States to Great Britain:

Cambridge, 23d July, 1856.
Dear Sir:— Your favors of yesterday reached me this forenoon, with the

50

printed circular, nnd a copy of the pamphlet on "ihnrtening the time of pAMago
between New York and London." I have not had it in my power to l(M>k into
the pamphlet, bat I have read the circular with great intereat. The prujecta
ihereio referred to, uf a railway comnmnication between the Uppef and Lower
British I'rovinceii and the Ocean, tlirough the Stale of Maue, and Mweeo the
Atlantic cities of the United Btatea and Halifax, are worthy of the public apirit
and enterprise of the age. Both will be, when carried into effect, of very great
utility to the American continent; — tho last named will afford the most important
facilities to tho commercial and social intercourse of the United States of America
and Europe. With such further improvements in steam navigation as we may
reasonably anticipate, the continuation of a railway through Maine to Halifax
would probably reduce the passage from Boston to Liverpool to nine days, of
which two days would be passed on the land.

I have long looked forward to the commencement of this great enterprise, and
I rejoice to see the movement making. I hope, — I l)elieve, — it will be equally
advantageous to the Provinces and the States.

It would afford me much pleasure to attend your Convention; bat I am pr^
vented by engagements here from leaving home.
Wishing you full success, I remain,

Dear sir, very truly yours,

EDWARD EVERETT.

John A. Poor, Esq.

From Hon; Levi Woodburt, one of the Justices of the Su-
preme Court of the United States:

Portsmouth, N. H., July 2S, 1850.

Dear Sir: — I have received the polite invitation you, m behalf of the Com-
mittee, extended to me to attend the Rail Road Convention to be held the Slat
inst., at Portland. It would afford me smcere pleasure to be present; but my
official engagements are such as are likely to prevent it. The plan, suggested in
the circular, is one of magnitude and of much bterest to this section of the conn-
try and will, I trust, receive all the support, which the facts connected with it '
may seem to wanant.

My best wishes attend it. Respectfully,

LEVI WOODBURY.

J. A. Poor, Esq., one of the Committee.

From Hon. Hannibal Hamblin, United States Senator from
Maine:

SiNATX Chamber, )
Washington, July 28, 1850. )

Dear Sir: — Your letter of the 16th inst., b behalf of a Committee of the

gitizens of Portland, inviting me to attend a Railway Convention at that place on

the 8l8t, did not reach me until yesterday.

61

Th« object »r yoar nMetiof ia for the parpoM of awakening and concentruiinf
Chc public Diiiid upon th« iniportuncu of i-xtendiiig u Railway thruugh lh« !*lutp
of Maine to th« inoitt eaaterly point of the Britiah I'r«%'ince«, and thuii bringing
UA in cloaer proximity to England and F^uropt*. I ronrur inotit cordially in the
objccta of the work in which yoa are engngtid. It« importance in a aocial and
commercial point of view, it leema to nie iihould commend it to the judgment of
all who will examine and reflect.

It would give me great pleaaure to he with vou and participate in your delib-
erationH. I regret to nay that my public duties are so important, at ihui time,
that I fear they will not justify my abucnce from the Senate. Were it otherwine
I ahould moat cheerfully avail myaelf of your invita'ion.
Reapectfully your Fellow Citizen,

H. H.\MLIN.

JoHir A. Poor, Esq.

From Hon. J. W. Bradbury, United States Senator from

Maine:

Washington, July 26, 1850.
Dear Sir: — I have had the honor to receive your invitation in behalf of the
Committee of Arrangements, kindly asking my attendance upon the Railway
Convention to be held in Portland on the Slst inst.

I beg yoH to assore th« Committee, that, if my public duties did not require
my presence here, it would afford me unqualified pleasure to be present on so
interesting occasion as one that has in view the advancement, in a legitimate
mode, of any of those great improvements, which, next to fraternal feeling, must
be depended upon to bind together the Union.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your ob't serv't,

J. /. BRADBURY.
J. A. Poor, Esq., Chairman, &c.

From Hon. N. S. Littlefield, Representative in Congress

from Maine:

House or Representatives, )
Washington, July 22, 1850. >

Gentlemeru — Yonr polite invitation to me to attend the Railway Convention to
be held at Pbrtland. m the Slst inst., came to hand by the mail of to^lay.

It would afford me great pleasure at this time to change my location from the
metropolis of the nation to the beautiful and healthy city of Portland; and I
should be very happy to leave the hails of Congress to participate m the pro-
ceedings of your Convention. I regret exceedingly that the importance of the
measures now pending before Congress, and the press of business mcident to the
approaching close of the already protracted session, prevent my acceptance of
your kind invitation. I caimot reconcile the leavmg of my post here at the pres-
ent time with my views of duty and propriety, and therefore it only remains for

m

52

me to assuri' '. ou that you ]'-i\k iny liorirty wishes for the sncrpss of tlie important
find laudiilil'' umli'rt:iking yon havp in hand, and my thanks for your poiitenefg to
me. Wiih tniinii rrspect and cstocni, I am yon: oh't scrv't,

NATII'L S. LrrrLEFIEFJ).
J(.HN A. I'oon, r^q., and others Committee.

From lion. Elbridge Geruy, Representative in Congress

fran^ M ine.

W.vsHiNGTON, July 23, 1850.

bear Sir: — 1 nave the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the
15lh inst., inviting me ii) be present at the proposed "Railway Convention" to
he holdeu at Portland, on the 31st of the present month — and also the "circular
issued \>y the committee who have in charge the arrangements for the conven-
tion," together with a pamphlet and map "setting forth the general features of
the plan," for all which favors 1 am greatl_, obliged. It would ailbrd me a great
deal of pleasure to be present on an occasion so full of interest as the one referred
to, could I do so consistently with my duties, and the obligations I am under to
those who sent me hero.

The vastncss of the scheme, the magnificence of the enterprise, and the world-
wide benefits that will flow from its success, command our highest commeridation,
and :ire worthy of the distinguished gentlemen who have lent their names and
their inf... 'nee to call public attention to a subject so full of hope. All who speak
the English tongue, can but rejoice in the conception and accomplishment of
measures to hasten the common destiny of our race — the full enjoyment of civil
and religious liberty. The approximation of two great people, who look from an
eminence down the face of the whole known world, and who speak a common
language, and who have a conmion interest, will contribute, in my judgment, in
an eminent degree, to the furtherance of an end so desirable.

Wishin-^ le enterprise abundant .success, and you, personally, all reasonable
prosperity, 1 am your most obedient and humble servant,

ELBRIDGE GERRY.

John A. Peon, Esq., Chairman Com. Arrangements.

From Hon C. Stetson, Representative in Congress from Maine:

Washington, July 23d, 1850.

Gentlemen: — In common with all who have at heart the advancement of the
roinmorcial interests of the Country, I most heartily concur with the Committee,
in their general views and reasoning, on the importance of a Railroad through
the State of Maine to the Eastern coast of Nova Scotia.

Thi' subject is deserving of an early and full investigation, to enable the public
to judge of the practicability and expediency of the great undertaking, when re-
lieved from the embarrassment, in which a too liberal investment of the active
capital of the country, in similar enterprises, has involved us.

o.>

.My otHriul liuiit;^ will ili;i>rivi^ me ,1' thf iilcaiiirc, wliirh ihf nuctiii^'. (m ili,>
Slst iiisl., with our t'l-llow citizcni, on .<o iatcn'siiiig an orrasioii, woiiKl have
With great rf.'ii)ect, I remain jour o!)'t serv't.

CI[AlU,f:s STI.TSON.

'Mvi.'ii nie.

From Hon. J. P. Pikemx, Representative in Congress from
the city of New York.

House of J! ei>iiksf:nt.\tiv ks. )
.Inly 27, \<>0. ' )
Dear Sir: — I liave the pleasure to acknowledge your invitation to attend a
Railway Convention on the Slnt of July, at Portland. T.nt it is a rase of niiieji
regret to me, that I shall he deharred the pleasure of doing so, in eoiisriiuenee of
the ahsolnte necessity for nienihers to be in their seats, during tlie present ex-
citing period

The ohject of the Convention meets with my most hearty concurrence. M'Ik*
day la not distant when these improvements will go forward, until our wliole
country shall be encircled and entwined together, by this Iron Cordon, and when
the extremities shall hav3 bee:: brought together by its wondrous power — we
shall hear fewer of the wretched calcuk.tioiis of the "value of the Union."

] beg you to tender to the Conunittee my thanks for the honor conferred upon
me by this iuvitution.

Respectfully Yours,

J. PHILLIPS PH(E.\IX.
John A. Poor, Esq.

From Lieut. M.vury, Chief Astronomer of the National Obser-
vatory of the United States.

National OBsuRv.uoRy, )

Washington, July 24, 1850. 5

Sir: — 1 have received the circular by the liailroad Committee, togetlier
with your note of the 18th inst., inviting me to attend and address in such
manner as may be most agreeable to myself, the [laihvay Convcniion pro-
posed to be held in the City of Portland, on the 3l8t. inst.,

I should be most happy, 1 beg you w ill assure the Co:ninitteo who have
extended to me this mark of their friendly consideration, to lend, did cir
cumstances permit, my voice, however fseble, to so good a cause o^ that
which they have in hand.

It is proposed to extend the Railway from Portland to the Lower British
Provinces, and through them to a point somewhere on the eastern coast of
Nova Scotia. A line of ste-mers thence to Galway, or some other port on
the western coast of Ireland, from which there is, or soon will be, Railway
communication with Dublin, would narrow tl j Atlantic down almost to a
ferry, the navigable distance fro\n land to Ian 1, by this route, being but a
little over 2000 nautical miles.

tmm

54

1^.

You describe this Road as pecaliar in its bearings for food upon that di»>
trict of oountry east of the Hudson rrd Lake Cbaraplain, betvreen the
Gulf and Rirer St. Lawrence on the north, and the Atlantic on the south.

It will connect with Railroads from Montreal, Quebec and Boston ; and
in view of the consequence which these connections will give it, you elo-
quently desoribe it a "grand trunk line of Railway from th? State of
Maine to the lower British Provinces." It is only one of the topmos*
branches; the main trunk extends from the west to the east, from the
north to the south, and has its tap-root planted in the heart of the Missis-
sippi valley.

There is already in contemplation, in process of construction, or actually
completed, together, a grand trunk line of Railroads all the way from
Portland, in Maine, to Memphis, in Tennessee, end other points on the
Mississippi river. To complete such a trunk, you cannot go amiss for
friends and advocates, for its branches are everywhere.

Whether you ;^o among the mountains of New England, or the lakes of
Canada, — in the plains of the south, or the forests of the west, — wherever
you sound the car whistle for this line of road, you will see the friends of
the measure, like Roderick D!<u'b men, starting up from every bush and
bank, in ready response to the call.

At the speed of Collins' steamers— and we do not mean to rest satisfied
with that — the passage across the Atlantic can be performed, when thb line
of your trunk road is pushed over into Nova Scotia, in a wrek.

The advantages of a road which is to shorten one-third the tailing dis*
tance between London and New Tork, Boston and Paris, are too many, too
obvious, and too great for enumeration or description. They strike every
one. The picture has already been well drawn ; and 1 should only mar it
in any attempt to present it in any other colors than those with which it
first strikes the eye.

There is, however, one point of view which I wish you would take of
this Railroad : for it is from that point, that 1 wish to present some of its
merits to public favor.

You know that the system of fortifications, formerly adopted for the de-
fence of the coast, as expensive and as necessary as it was, has been ren-
dered almost unnecessary by the system of Rniiroads that has been intro-
duced by the private enterprise and energy of public spirited individuals
like yourselves. We have seen the general government expending mil-
lions of dollars for the erection of a single fortification, and which, when
completed, was of no earthly value in tiTies ef peace to the citizens or oc-
cupations of the country. There it stood— a mere pile of brick and mor-
tar—drawing heavily upon the public treasury for repairs every year, and
dragging out a burthensome existence in peace, that perchance it might be
useful in war.

Now, with the power which this Railroad would give you to draw an

65

army, if need be, from the great ralley of the we>t,aDd in two daja, inarch
it all the waj by ateam from Memphis on the Miiiiasippi, to the frontiera
of Maine, or even into foreign territor> — with luch a power, what do the
people of Maine want with any forta and caatlea, except auch aa may be
aeceaaary to protect her aea port lowna from the great guna of big ahipa ?

You know, too,— for yon hare only to ?i»it the Nary Yard in your State
to aee evidence of the fact— that the plan was to collect in our Navy Yards,
and at great expense, large quantitiea of ahip timber, and store it away for
the emergencies of war. The emer(;encies never came, the timber rotted,
and the money was lost.

Now in time of war, almost any timber that stands in the fo'ests is good
enough to build men of war. Even if built of green timber, they would
probably last through the war, when the vast majority of them, of whatever
kind of timber they might be built, would be of no further uae at any rate.
Therefore, with Railroads, what do we want of any more stores of ship
timber for aby such purposes ? As for the Navy, Railroads have converted
almost every forest from "Maine to Georgia" into a timber shed for it.

Seeing, therefore, the important part which Railroads are performing and
will perform in the system of national defenses — seeing that one of the
principal objeeu^which moved our fathers to form this Union, was *'the
better to provide for the common defenre ; " and, seeing that the publie
lands are a common^fund which is being squandered, I am of opinion that
a more righteous, wise and beneficient dispensation could not be made of
portions of these lands, than to apply them to aid in the construction of
Railroads and other works which provide so effectually as Railways do, for
tne oommoti defeiue.

It would, in my judgment, be wise in Congress to give to' your contem-
plated Railway, and all like it, a grant of p'.ib'ic lands on some such condi-
tions as these : The lands to be selected by the Company and charged to
it at one-hMf the government price, without interest during the construc-
tion of the Road. But the Company should be obligated for and in consid-
eration of such grant, to transport, free of charge, all troops and munitions
of war that the government, in time of war, should desire to send over it ;
and to let the interest, annually accruing on the amount with which the
Company is charged on account of the lands, go in part payment "or ser-
vices rendered in carrying the mail in times of peace. Thus, you observe,
that the public lands might, by these means, be converted through Rail-
roads into a beautiful system of national defenses in war, and also made in
times of peace, to serve as a source of revenue for ever, by assisting to pay
the post office expenses.

Desiring the success of your noble enterprise,

1 have the honor to be, tacc.

M. F

JoHM A. Poor, £s(i., Portland, Me.

. MAURY

LvexiX

S.N.

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lit

Hon. a. T. Galt, President of the St. L. & At. K. R. Co.

St. Lawrf.kce & At. R. R. Office,
Montreal, July 29, 18.50.

Dkah Sin: — I am requested by the Directura of the St. Lawrence and
Atlantic Railroad Compan)', to expreis through you to the Committee hav-
ing in charge the arrangements for the Convention to bo hold in your city,
on the 31st inst., their deep regret that this Company will be unrepresented
on this important and interesting occasion, it has not been found possible
for the gentlemen to proceed to Portland whom we desired to send, and
we arc therefore, for the present, confinnd to the expression by letter, of the
sympathy and interest we feel in the great undertaking of a Grand Railroad
communication to the Lower British Provinces from the point of intersec-
tion in Maine of the New York and Montreal Lines.

We believe that the general outline of the plan proposed in your petition
to the Legislature of Maine, meets the univerisal approval of our citizens
here, and if not already recognized in Quebec as the most feasible mode of
connecting Canada with the lower Provinces, we doubt not that a corsid-
ctation of the comparative ease of its construction will speedily enlist the
heaity support of that community in its favor.

Tho Province of Canada having passed a general law, guaranteeing the
interest upon one half the cost of all Railways within the Province exceed-
ing 75 miles in length — it is within your knowledge that we have been
enabled to ensure the completion of the Railway from Montreal to Port-
land. From Melbourne to Quebec, under the operation of this law, we
now regard the construction of a Branch Line as secure— and we therefore
conceive ourselves warranted in expressing to your Committee our convic-
tion that so far as the connections with the proposed Grand Trunk Line
with Canada are concerned, they may be regarded as assured of completion
within a very limited time.

The importance of the Grand Railroad in question, can scarcely, we think,
be over estimated either in aaiational or comiiiercial point of view ; and
we cordially respond to your sentiments as expressed in the document,
forwarded to us as to the ground upon which the support, both of American
and British citizens, is sought. We shall watch with the most lively in-
terest, tiie proceedings at the Convention, and although circumstances
have prevented our sharing in this preliminary action, we yet trust, that
under the able control into which the organization of the plan has fallen
we shall bo afforded a future and early opportunity of evincing our hearty
co-operation in a scheme which we ful'y recognize as fraught with^ the ut-
most benefit to Canada, and especially to the particular interests we repre-
sent.

I have the honor to be, Dear Sir,

Your very faithful Servant,

A. T. GALT,
JoH.N A. Poon, Es<i. rreaident ist. L. ^ At, li. R.

¥'4

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Hon. Gco. Moffatt, Montreal.

MoRTREAL, July 26, i850.

Sir : — 1 havo tlie ho lor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of tiio
22d inst,, with the circular and pamphlet which accompanied it, and which
I have read with much interest.

It would be difRcult to overrate the importance of a Line of Railroads
extending from the eastern coast of Nova Scotia to tlie interior of this
country, which would be effected by the project contemplated in these
papers, and which appears to me more feasible tlian any scheme I have seen
for shortening the time of steam communication with Europe. It is there-
fore, a subject of regret with mo tliat my enyagemunts will not permit me
to avail myself of tiie invitation to attend tlie Convention which is to as-
semble at Portland on the 3Ist inst., for the consideration of this project ;
and I have in consequence to beg of you to offer my apology to the Com-
mittee of Arrangements, and at the same time, my acknowledgements for
the honor done me.

I regret this more, as 1 shoulu have enjoyed the additional gratification
of again meeting several of the gentlemen whose acquaintance I had the
pleasure of making, on my former visit to Portland-

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of respect and esteem, sir, your
obedient servant,

John A. Poor, Esq.

G. MOFFATT.

Hon. Joel W. White, President of the Norwich & Worcester
Rail Road Company.

Office or tiik N. & W. R. R. >
JVorwich, tt., July 27, 1850. )

Dear Sir : — 1 am in receipt of your favor of 24th inst., with circular,
on my return from Sharon Springs, this morning-, giving me a polite invi-
tation to attend a Railroad Convention to bo held at the city of Portland on
the Slst inst. Nothing would have afforded me more Eiatisfaction than to
accept of your invitation. But my health is such that I am necessitated to
deny myself the pleasure.

The measure sought by your Committee, is one which presents itself,
with irresistable force, to the enterprise of New England. Most of the
Railroad Corporations in New England have a direct interest in its final
completion. I doubt not that this great improvement will be fully appre-
ciated by the capitalists of England and her Provinces. The communica-
tions between the two countrie; have betome so frequent, and a growing
desire of the citizens of this infant Republic to visit the Old World, with
the facility of the Railroad you contemplate constructi.i^. will so shorten
the time and hazard of a passage across the Atlantic ibut i' will require an

w

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If-
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"I.;"

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iiamenM fleet of ■teamen to perform the Mrriee between the termini of
your Road and the ncarett port in England. While nationa are uniting to
croai the continent of South America to ahorten the diatance by aea, the
aame reasona apply with full force, that erery facility ahould be granted to
we the continent of North America for the conatruetion of Railroada to
the moat feaaible pomta, to ahorten the diatance acroaathe Atlantic, thereby
ensure despatch and aecurity both to peraona and property on the greateat
thoroughfare to be known upon the globe.

You certainly have the hearty co-operation of tny influence, to advocate
the commencement and completion of the greateat National Railroad pro-
ected by youraelf and your asaociatea upon the Committee, a work worthy
of the age in which we live, and if conanmmatad, will be a laating monu-
ment of fame to ita projectora.
I haTe the honor to remain, with high coniideratioa.

Tour obedient aerrant,

JOEL W. WHITE, Prut.
J. A. Poor, Eaq., and other membera of the Committee.

D. A. Neal, Esq., President of the Eastern Railroad.

Salem, S4th July, 1850.
JoHH A. Poor, Esq.

Dear Sir : — 1 have your letter of the 22d. I will endeavor to see Mr.
Howe in time to state to him your wishes in regard to measures for facili-
tating the objects of your Convention.

1 have not sufficiently atudied the details of your plan to give an opinion
of its practicability ; but a man must have great courage or great stupidi-
ty, to assume, at this day that anything not physically impossible, will not
be undertaken and accomplished. To ascertain what are its practical diffi-
culties, is, 1 imagine, the object of your application to the Legislature, and
to back that application is the design of the Convention, and I trust it may
be successful. The result of your pout suggestions and efforts in the cause
of railroads in Maine, is quite sufficient to encourage you in these you are
now making.

In regard to the results to be obtained, if your plan for " shortening the
time of passage " across the Atlantic, should be carried out, some definite
idea may be formed even now. Steamboats, like race horses, will make
■peed as they carry leas weight. The distance from Cape Canao to
Galway being one-third leaa than from Liverpool to New York, one-
third less weight of water, proviaiona and fuel would be lequired ; and
this, 1 think ought, other things being equal, to give at least, one mile
in fifteen greater epeedi saving in 2000 miles, not less than eight hours.
The 1000 milec of Railroad could be accomplished in 40 against 67 hours

mu

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59

by iteameri, making the total gain 35 houri in the paHage. The time a
aea would be 75 boon le«n Thii would be lufficient to turn the current of
trarel, if not eounteraeted, from the United Statee, and would be aure to
take all, to and from the Britiih Province!.

f beg leave to hand you herewith, one of the Eaitern R. R. Report
and remain, very truly youri, D. A. NEAL.

From Hon. Icaabod Goodwin, President of the Portland, Saco and
Portsmouth Railroad.

PonTiMODTH, July 31, 1850.

Mr Dear Sir : — I regret that & alight indiaposition deprives me of the
pleasure of attending the Railroad Convention to be holden in Portland this
day. 1 trust the Convention will be well attended, and that a spirit of
enterprize may pervade the councils of the meeting, which shall induce im-
mediate action to carry forward the great object you have under considera-
tion. I am, with great respect,

your obedient servant,
John A. Poor, Ea«., Portland, ICHABOD GOODWIN.

From B. T. Reeo. Esq., a Director in the Eastern Railroad.

Boston, July 24th, 1850.
John A. Poor, Esi^.
Dkar Sir: — A positive engagement to attend the Annual Meeting of

an Incorporated Company in New Hampshire on the Sist inst., will prevent

my accepting your polite invitation to attend the Railway Convention at

Portland on that day.

The project for a Railway connexion with Halifax, is grand and noble ;

and I have no question that the enterprise and wealth of Maine will be

found equal to the undertaking, and the present is in my opinion a very

favorable moment for the commencement of the work. Railroad Iron will

probably never be cheaper than it can now be purchased for. Labor is

cheap and abundant ; all things conspire in your favor, and you have my

most ardent wishes in year behalf.

In haste, I am, Dear Sir,

yours very truly,

B. T. REED.

From Thomas West, Esq., late President of the Boston and

Maine Railroad.

Haverhill, July 90, 1860.

OearSir: — Your letter of the !26th inst. with the circular, issued by

the Committeee who have in charge the management of the Railway Con-

d

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vention to be held in tlie Cily of Portland, on the Slat insl , as also, a copy
of the pamphlet, and map tietlin^ fourth the general outlines of the plan
for a Rniiway and Steamboat communication between this country, and the
Dritisli Provinces with Great Britain, are received, and from a hasty peru-
•al, and examination, 1 think the project will command the public favor.

Early in my connection with the Boston and Maine Railroad 1 was im>
pressed with the belief, that this line of Railroad would ultimately pass to
the Eastern boundary of your State, at Calais, or Robbinstown, and there
connect by Railroad, or by Steamboats with St. John and Halifax.

At present 1 suppose you are aware that there h a. continuous chain of
Railroads, from your City to the City of New York— a continuous chain to
Troy, and to the lakes ; also, with all the principal Railroads in New Hamp-
shire, and Vermont, and ere long to be completed, in extension from Bur-
lington, Vt., to Oj^densburg, N. Y., and to Montreal in Canada.

Should the proposed project be carried out, of constructing a Railroad
from Bangor to Calais, St. John, Halifax, and to Canso, and then take
Steamboats for Gnlway in Ireland, there can hardly be a doubt, that a large
proportion of the travel to and from this country and Europe, would take
it, in preference to tho ocean steamers, via Boston, or New York in con-
tingency of its consuming as much time one way, as the other.

There can, I think, be no doubt your Legislature will cause the survey to
be made, as the Road will pass ihrough the State favorable to connect with
it, at almost all points that require Railroad facilities.

For the very flattering expressions uf the Committee, that I would attend
the Convention, I present you my thanks — but, my health has been so
much impaired, b}' over exertion in railroad service that I decline attending
all meetings of this kind. That 1 should feel an interest in the success of
the proposed plan you will t:ot doubt, as its success will aid to the businetis
and value of a road on which 1 have devoted ten years of my life, in its
construction and management; and during ihe time experienced all the
embarrassment incident to the commencing, the construction of a Railroad
without the necessary capital being first subscribed.

I am, gentlemen,

your obedient servant,
John A. Poor, Esq. THOMAS WEST.

ii

Prof. B. Silliman, L. L. D.

New Havkn, July 25, 1850.
To John A. Poor, Esq., and his Associates.

Gentlemen : — I have been honored by your letter and printed paper on
the subject of the projected Railroad from and to tho British Provinces and
through the State of Maine. The enterprise is certainly one of high im-
portance and 1 hope it may find favor and adequate means of a-^oomplish-
ment.

61

It would (jive me no amall pleasure to altond the proposed meeting at
Portland on the 31st inst., but I regret to say it is impossible, and itnp(jrtant
public duties will confine me here for three weeks to conic.

I ask the favor of you soon to send mo another printed circular or two —
That which I received I enclosed to a friend in London, Dr. Gideon Alge-
rnon Montell, 10 Chester Square. This gentlemin has published numerous
works especially on Geology, and is particularly interested in Railroads and
internal improvements generally.

Your printed paper 1 had time only to glance over, as the mail for Un^;-
land was near closing ; and I do not justly apprehend the state of your en-
terprise, whether explorations and preliminary surveys have been already
made, or whether the whole is future.

Hoping to hear from you again, I Remain, Dear Sir, and Gentlemen,

Yours, Respectfully,

B. SILLIMAN.

Prof. W. R. Johnson, of Washington.

VVashihotow, July 25, 1850.
Dear Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge your kind letter of the
22d inst., inclosing a circular relative to the Convention proposed to be held
in Portland on the 31st of this month, in relation to a railroad connection
between iVIaine and the British Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia, and inviting my attendance on that interesting occasion. 1 have
also been favored with a copy of the pamphlet to which you refer. I have
perused both the circular and pamphlet, with great pleasure, and can as-
sure you, that if any thing could add to the anticipated pleasure of ex-
changing, at this season, the air of Washington for that of the beautiful
place where the Convention is to be held, it would be the hopejof partici-
pating in the deliberations of the body assembled foL° so noble and praise-
worthy an object as that which you now have in view.

Having, a lew years since, enjoyed an opportunity of traversing much of
the country proposed to be passed over by the contemplated road, I have
often reflected on the practicability and importance of a connection, by
railroad, between the points traced on the map accompanying your pamph-
let.

The bold project of spanning the strait of Canso, with a railroad bridge,
is a fitting cotcmporary for that which has already been executed on the
other side of the Atlantic, and for the still bolder designs which look, with
a faith and confidence only known to the Anglo Saxons of the nineteenth
century, towards the Western rivers, prairies, snowy peaks or rocky isth*
muses, and the far off Pacific.

It would indeed be a triumph for commerce and the arts of peace, should

biu of the projeeU, iketehed on the napi, be earried into effect ; — ihoald
the deicendanta of thoie who in 1759 eo-operatrd to lay waate tho brare old
iortreu of Loaiiburg, be found in 1S59 Tieing with eaeh other, in rebuild-
ing happjr hoDiea to which they may welcome the itranger from every land
in the old world, and,may, with ipecial cordiality, ioTite the gay Pariaianto
look on leenei more attractive thandelapidated ramparia, gaping cuemcnti,
ruined lighthouiei, and deaolate hearthttonei of a former generation.

The banishment of national animoiitiei would then and there aaaume a
■ignificaace truly eheeriag to every lover of freedom and of peace.

The oceaaion will, I doubt not, awakan to full activity, the pnblie apirit
and enterprise of Now England. It will call forth, it ia to be hoped, a re>
sponte to the resolve of St. John and Halifax, and bring into eo-operatiott
the Angle-Bazon energies under whatever names, or in whatever latitudes
they may have chanced to fix their abodes.

With these views and senumeuts, I re.;ret exceedingly that professional
engagements, extending over the few days rrhich are to elapse before the
meeting of the Convention, will preclude the possibility of accepting your
kind invitation.

I hope you will, however, do me the favor to eommuniaate to the Com-
mittee, my thanks for this mark of their attention and ray cordial wishes
for the success of their important enterprise.

Yours, Very Respectfully,
John A. Poor, Esq., Chairman, &c. WALTER R. JOHNSON.

From DocT. C. T. Jacesoh, Boston, Geologist.

fiosTOR, July S3d, 1860.
JoHR A. Poor, Esq.,

Dkar Sir : — I am mueh obliged to you for your polite invitatioa to
attend the Railway Convention in Portland, on the 3Ist. inst.

Having eiplored both Nova Seotia and Maine, I feel particularly inter*
ested in whaterer may tend to promote their further examination, and to
bring forth their natural resources, and I am of opinion that a Railway
will tend to benefit both these ooaatriee, and the Eastern States generally.
How many important geological and mineralologieal discoveries will result
from ^he surveys and exeavasions oa a line of railway crossing so many
very important rock formations, yoa may well imagine. Tour road will
give the very best section of the geological structure of the country that
can possibly be made, and will diselose valnable minerals withoat doubt
Provision should therefor* be made to collect and aseurately record all
•nob discoveriea, during the piogrese of the surrey and laying out of the
road. It may be well also to make aeoarate explorations for some miles ca
eaoh aide of the line of the road, in order to discover what useful minerale
exist near enough to the track to be rendered available for transporting to
market. Also to discoTer the moot oaefal joeka I'or railway nses.

1:1

63

The line of Rtilroad through New Bruniwick tnd NoTt Scotia, will
be in the carboniferoue leriea of roeki where coal and (jrpium will be
found without doubt. Theie will prore ralaable aa freight on the Railway
and will add to the reaourcea of Maine, bj enabling her to work her minea
of Iron, and to inprove her aoil. It ii hardly neceaaary to add, that a raat
amount of raluable eoientifie information will be diaeloaed by your Rt il-
way auryeya, and explorationa ; for that ia perfectly obvioua. j

The economical bearinga alone will be looked to in thia project, and 1
cannot doubt that if carried on with energy and akill, it will prore ralnable
to Maine, to have thia railway along her coaat.

Much of the ground I am familiar with and ahould judge it to be very
practicable for railwaya. In New Brunawiek and Nova Scotia, the route
being orer red aand atone that ia nearly horiiontal. Ton will find it very
eaay to lay a track on good ground at little ezpenae. The aaroe ia true of
moat of the routea in Nova Scotia.

If I am noi required to go to Virginia next week, I will attend your
Conrention with great pleaaure.

With high regard, I am

Your Ob't. Servant,

CHARLES T. JACKSON,

Late Gcologiat of Maine, &c.

From Pnor. Smtth, of Bowdoin College.

Brcrbwicx, July 30th, 1850.
OiAR, Sir : — I have to thank you for your favor of the 26th inat. invit-
ing me, in behalf of the committee of arrangeuenta, to attend the propoaed
Railroad meeting in your city to-morrow. It waa my purpoae to comply
with the invitation. Ciroumatancea, however, have unezpectly occurred,
which now place it out of my power to be abaent from my College dutiea for
the time neceaaary for the purpoae. I concur fully in the riewa espreaaed
iR the pamphlet, you alao obligingly aent me, in reapect to the feaaibility
of the propoaed plan, and the vaat importanee of ita execution to the inter-
eata of our State. I traat that a good impulae will be given to the project,
at the porpoaed meeting, at which I much regret that I am not able to be
preaent. Truly and reapectfnlly youra,

WILLIAM SMTTH.

From M. L. Applbtoit, Eaq., Member of the Houae of Repreaentativea
for Bangor.

HoCai OF RiPRIBIIfTATlVBa,

AcGoaTA, July 30, 1850.
To Job* A. Poor, Eaq.,

OiAR Sir : — Until tbia moannt I hid taticipated the pleaaore of being

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preient at, and in s tiunilile way participating, in tlio action of Iho impor-
tant convi-nlion to bo held in your city to-morrow. — I deeply regret that
one of tlioic incitUntt in life which arc beyond our control, will prevent
a coinpliinco with your kind reciuest.

I well remuinber, when you firrit called public attention to the feasibil-
ity of uniting, with banda ot iron, tho waters of Ihr Kt. Lawrence, at Mon-
treal, with those of thu Atlantic at Portland. That project, then deemed
itn doubtful by many, ia now certain of successful completion, audits
happy fulfillment will advance the interest and prosperity of our State, in
the pathway of onward progression at least a half century. And when,
at the public meeting held last winter in the city of Bangor, you first sug-
gested the idea of constructing a continuous line of railway through the
State of Maine and the Hritish Provinces, to Cape Canio — a line destined
to become the great thoroughfore of European communication — the public
mind was nt once aroused to its importance.

The scheiuo was regarded as grand, but at the same time considered
practicable, and I trust the proposed convention will be fruitful in legitimate
results, which will conduce to a speedy accomplishment of an object so
deeply interesting to Europe and America.

From the apparent interest thus far manifested in both branches of the
Legislature, I have no doubt, they will yield a cordial acquiescence in
granting the prayer of the Petition, and appropriating a liberal sum toward
the immediate completion of a survey to the Eastern bo'indary of the
State. We do not, neither should it be regarded as a Slate enterprise ex-
clusively. It is as much a National as a State work — an improvement, —
not limited by geographical lines, but promotive of the prosperity of the
United States, as well as the British Provinces. Let the great work go
on. — The impulsive character of the age is the guarantee of success. Let
there be no folding of hands, or resting satisfied with exclamations of
wonder ! The present may as well do, what the children of the future
will surely do, wondering why the fathers of the past should have htjsi-
tated to follow the voice of progress and improvement.

In the many distinguished persons who will be present from the Prov-
inces, you will find co-workers, of the highest character and worth, who
will I doubt not, render every aid and influence in carrying out this mag-
nificent enterprise. With sentiments of respect,

I am yours truly,

M. L. APPLETON.

From Hon. J. V. L. Pbdvn, of the Legislature of New York.

Albany, July Slst, 1850.
Dear Sir: — On ray return home after an absence of several days, 1
find your favor of the 2iid inst, inviting me to attend the Covention to be
held in Portland this day, in reference to the project of shortening the

65

paitage acrnst the Atlnntic, by the construction of a lino of Railway
through the State of Maine, to #oino good linrbDr on the Kattern Coaat of
Nova Scotia. I entirely concur with your coinmittpo in their riew »o ably
stated in their circular, aatotlie importance of tliia prnject : and I truat that
early uieaaurei will be taken to carry it out. It would afTord me great
pleasure to be preacnt at your meeting, and I regret that I cannot attend it.

With my bust wishes for the succpsa of your tnterpri.te, and mj acknow 1
edgementa to the cominitlee and yourself, for the invitation addre-sedto
roe. I remain with great respect.

Yours, Ate. &c. JOHN V, I.. IMIUVN.

JouM A. Poor, Eaq . Portland.

ig.

s,l

be
Ithe

From Hon. John Young, Vice President of the St. Lawrence and
Atlantic Railroad Company.

Montreal, July 25th, IHuO.

John A. Poor, C^q., Portland.

Mv Dear Sir:— Your letter of Ihe^Oth inst , as well as your Telegraph
dispatch came duly to hand, inviting me to the Convention on the 3lgt, at
Portland, to consider the propriety of extending a Railway through
Maine and New Brunswick, to a point at Canso, in Nova Scotia, have been
received, as well as the very able report to your Legislaluri) on the subject.

I am now alone in the conduct jt a large business, which, with the du-
ties I have to perfoim ir. iuc ubsenbe of the President, as Vice President
of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad Company, keeps me fully em-
ployed, and I regret much to say, that at this time it ia almost impossible
for me to leave the city.

1 am glad that the Quebec and Halifax Road has received its "quietuR. "
That it may ultimately be built, 1 have but little doubt, but at present, I
have always moved its prosecution as impracticable, and with the present
population of the British Provinces, it would never pay. The project of
connecting Quebec and Montreal, with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
through Maine, will, with a few side roads to populous places, form the
Maine line, ^ive to these Provinces all the advantages sought for by the
line on the St. Lawrence, but will, from taking a departure for England,
&c., at Canso, command the travel of the South and West, of those de-
signing to cross the Atlantic.

The measure has my fullest approbation, and has in itself so much to
commend it, that nothing in my opinion will prevent its being carried
through. You must not however, rely much on assistance from, Canada,
as you must admit that she is doing very well, in carrying the Portland
road to the lines, and besides this, the will have to connect Quebec with
Melbourne — Nova Scotia and New Brunswick musi put their shoulder to
the wheel, and I shall be disappointed in my estimate of the public spirit,

I

if.

66

anc energy of Ihp people of both I'rovincei, if they do not, on this occa-
sion act Inrgdy and liberally.

Hopinff that you will have a large and'iatisfactnry meeting,

I am ('ear sir,— Youra truly,

JOHN YOUNG.
P. S.— I do not think there will be any Representative from our Road,
and 1 have not heard uf any others going. J. Y.

From Hon. T. B. Curtis, of Boston.

Boston, July 30lh, 1850.
To J. A. Poor, Esq., Portland.

DiiAR Sir : — This is one of the occasions when I am compelled to regret
that 1 cunnnt ^n " in two places at once ! " The object of the meeting is
a noble one, and worthy of the age and the men who have conceived it. —
Any ties that tend to bind th ie States the mare indissolubly together, I
deem holy ; and but second to such I regard those which serve to connect
the great Anglo-Saxon race. In this spirit 1 wish you speedy and ulti-
mate success. Faithfully yours,

THO. B. CURTIS.

From Chakles Sumner, Esij,, of Boston.

Boston, July 30th, 1350.

i}£AR Sir: — ! ':::ve been honored by your istter of J'xly 22d, inviting
me to attend the Railway Convention at Portland on fhe Slst, end tu ad.
dress it in bujIi manner as may b.. most n^reeable to myself.

It is not in my power to be present; but, :vhile thanking ynu for the
honor of an invitation, 1 cannot miss the oppor'.ur.ity of exp'essing my cor-
dial intnresi in tlie geaeral purposes of the proposeu Convention.

You hope, by new lines of railway, to draw neighbor States and Provin-
ces into a closer, social, and commercial fellowship; and, by extending the
means of travel on the land, to abridge the long sea-voyage between Ameri-
ca and Europe, and thus to bring the two hemisplieres nearer together. —
Such a design has a generosity and grandeur worthy of our age. Its con-
summation will be a victory, more beneficent, more christian, more truly
honorable than any bloody success. To the men whose wise forecast con-
coived it, and to the men, whose earnest labors shall execute it, will be
awarded — as mankind advance in virtue, and learn to know their true ben-
efactors— the praise which is now lavished on deeds of battle.

I cannot doubt that the materia! advantages, at leastto the community,
from such avenues of communication will be in entire harmony with the
greatness of the design. The producer, the mannfactiirpr and the consu-
mer will all be brought nearer together ; intercourse of all kinds will be

67

promoted ; commerce will be quickened ; markets will be opened; proper
ty, wherever touched by these lines, will be changed, as by a divining rod
into new values; and the great current oi travel, like that stream in classi-
cal fable, or one of the rivers of California, will £11 its channel with golden
sands.

It would be difficult lo_ estimate the influence of roads as a means of
civilization. Where they are-not, civilization cannot be ; and civilization
advances, as these ore extended. And yet an ancient poet, — while pic-
turing the Golden Age as without long lines of ruad, has actually referred
to this circumstance, as apparently creditable to that primitive period in
contrast with his own time. «' How well " enclaimed TibuUus, " they
lived while Satan ruled ; before the earth was opened by long ways. "

Quam bene Saturno vivebant rege ; pruisquam
Tellus in longas est patefacta viaa.

But the true Golden Age is before us ; not behind us ; and one of its tokens
will be the completion of these lovg rcays, ')>> which villages, towns, coun-
ties, states, provinces, nations are all to be associated together in the bonds
of Peace Faithfully yours,

Hon. John A. 1'oor. CHARLES SUMNER.

From Hon. Albert Smith.

Wasiiinoto.v, July 1.9th, 18'0.

.Mv DEAnSm: — I have, this moment, received your notv- of the 26tk
ult. kindly inviting me, in behalf of the Committee of arrangements for
the Convention to be holden in Portland on the Slst of the present month,
to be present upon that most interesting occasion.

It would not now be possible for me to avail myself of your politeness,
and reach your city in time to take any part in the proceedings of this
meeting of the friends of public improvemnt, even if my engagements
here, would permit me to make the attempt.

But, 1 bid you — God speed — tcith all my heart — and, it any efTort of
mine shall, hereatler, be required to aid in your grmt cnterprize, it may
always be commanded.

In great haste, very cordially,

your friend and obedient servant,
John A. Poor, Esq., ALBERT S.MITH.

Rev. Leonard Wood, D. D., Prst. of Bowdoin College.

BowDoiN CoLLEOK, BRUNSWICK, July 27, 1850.
Mv Deak Siu : — I regret very much that it will be impossible for me
to leave Brunswick on the day fi.xed upon for the Convention. I should
have felt great interest in listening to the deliberations of the Convention

mmsmm

68

respecting Ihe truly mn^nificent scheme which it will have in considera-
tion. So far as I can judj.'*^ it seema to me to be a plan in the auccess of
which ail parts of the State are deeply interested.

1 remain, Dear Sir, very truly and respectfully,

your obedient servant.
J. A. Poor, Eiq. LEONARD WOOD.

From Rev. Dr. Sheldon, Prst. of Waterville College.

VVateuville College, July 30, 1850.
To John A. Poor, Esq.,

Sir : — I liave tha honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, with
an accompanying circular, pamphlet, and map, calling my attention to the
magnificent scheme of & Railroad through this State to the extreme limit
of Nova Scotia ; and also inviting my attendance at the Convention which
is to assemble to-morrow at Portland to consider the claims of this enter-
prise Though little accustomed to join even as a spectator in cuch meet-
ings, yet could 1 be spared from my duties in the College, it would in this
instance, give mo great pleasure to be present on in: occasion of so much
interest. But in my situation, I must content my^ulf with the expression
of an earnest hope, that a plan, so eminently useful and practicable, may bei
as speedily as possible, carried into execution.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

D N. SHELDON.

From Rev. E. Pond, Professor in the Bangor Theological Semi-
nary.

Bahgor, July 29, 1850.
To JoHM A. Poor, Esq., Chairman of Committee.

Dear Sjr : — four favor of the 26th was duly recei<'ed. You may be
assured that I feel the deepest interest in tlie great enterprize which your
communications present, and that nothing shall be wanting which I can do
to promote it. [t would give me the great>>st pleasure to be present at the
propoaed Convention ; but my duties at the Seminary — the more pressing,
as we are now on the eve of our anniversary — will pre-ent. Please pre-
sent my kind regards to the members of your Committee, and accept assu-
rances of any and every assistance which I can consistently render, in
coniumrnating the great work which is now contemplated.

Yours with much respect,

E. POND.

Hon. Jos. T. Buckingham.

Cambridge, July 29, 1850.
To J. A. Poo- , Esq ,

Dear Sir : — Your note of the S6th inat. with the pamphlet ond piap

To

69

therein referred lo, wa» duly received. I feel honored by the attention oi
the Committee of which you are Chairman, and the more so, as it is the
first notice of the kind, which I iiavc received, since I ceased to be an edi-
tor. The plan wh'"!. your Convention in called lo consider, in, beyond all
doubt, a feasible one — f executed, a profitable one ; and should it not be
carried out for a century to come, is highly honorable to the projectors and
lo the State of Maine, ft would give me great pleasure to bo with you on
the 3l(t. and to tell you peritonally how much it gratifies an old advocate
for home industry and internal improvements, to witness any attempt to
stimulate the enterprize of hi? fellow citizens, and .;> strengthen the chain
bat binds our different States together, and those States to the rest of the
world. Indispeiisable engagements prevent in" leaving home during the
week, or 1 should certainly avail myself of your polite and friendly invita-
tion to visit a city, which I never saw but once, and to confer with gentle
men for whom, though all strangers but one, I untertain respect aad confi^
dence. With true regard,

your friend and servant.

JOS. T. BUCKINHAM.

From Dr. Fkanklin Bache, of Philadelphia.

FniLAUELPBiA, July 29tli, 1850.

Dear Si/ : — it ;a so.Tie days since I received your letter, in which you
do me the honor to request ray attendance at the Railway Conveution to
be held in Portland on the 31st instant. 1 regret that my engagements put
it out of my power to accept your invitation.

Together with your letter, I received your Committee's Circular, and the
Pemphlet, ; finted by order of your State Legislature, setting forth the ;;^»n-
eral features of the plan you have in view for shortening the time of pas-
sage between New York i.pd London. 1 have read the pamphlet attentive-
ly, and examined the map by which its statements are illustrated, and, it
appears to mc, the plan is feasible, and, if prosecuted in a liberal spirit to
completion, the route formed for England would h preferred by passengers
and foi- posliy freight. Comparing the route between New York and Liv
erpool by Steamera, and the route between those cities by the proposed
plan, the distance travelled would not be very different; but, by the pro-
posed route, about one thousand miles of the distance would be aocomplish.
rd on Railroads, and at a speed at least double that of Ocean Steamers. —
Thus, the passaire between the two cities would be shortened in time by
the proposed route, and ;he sea voyage abridged one-third,
lam very respectfully,

your obedient servant,

FRANKLIN J3ACHE.
To John A. Poor, Etq,., Portland, Me

70

From Major Trimble, Chief Engineer of the Philadelphia, Wil-
minglon, and Baltimore Railroad.

WiLMIBGTOK, Julj 26.

To JoiL-c A. Poor, Esq..

Dear Sir : — i duly appreciate the great importance of the project of a
Railway connectiou between the United Stairs and New Drunswick, and
would be glad to aid in its accomplishment in any way. Should my con-
valescence, after an illness of rectr't date, be sufBciently advanced to per"
mit the journey, I shall be pre-.ient at yoar Cunvention. .

I am, ve.'y truly yours",

J. R. TRIMCLE.

Froin Geo. W. Cooley, Esq., of Boston,

BosTOW, July 30th, 1850.

My Dkar Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
note, inviting me in behalf of the Committee of arrangements lobe present
lo .iddress the Convention to be holden at Portland on the Slst instant.

Vhe objects of the proposed Convention are such as must snlist the sym-
pathy and challenge the admiration of every friend of International Comi-
ty, and of Commercial progress. The movement is noble, nay, sublime;
and if supported by such ability and energy as have made alledged "im-
possibililiet " historical verities, and won for Portland the renown of hav
ing achieved the noblest enterprize of the age, it will have the safest guar-
anty of success. My engagements prevent participation in the proceedings
of a Convention whose purposes are of high and impressive import. —
Let none be so craven as to doubt that success will ultimately crown
their generous undertaking. Sure 1 am that Maine will neither overlook
her interests nor dishonor her escutcheon. In all matters of Commercial
interest, let her gallantly throw to the I reeze, that scroll, whereon is writ-
ten for Ihd admiration of this Commonwealth of Free States that magic
word "Dirigo, " full of the most chivalrous sentiment.

With sentiments of great respect, I have t!ie honor to honor to subscribe
myself, Your obedient Servant,

GEO. VV. COOLEY.
.1. A. Poor, Esq., Portland, Me.

From Jesse Chickering, Esq., of Boston.

Boston, July 27, 1850.
John A. Poor, Esq.

Df.4r Sir . — I have received yours of the 20th inst. with the Circular

and a copy of the Pamphlet and Map, relating to the plan of extending "a

line of Railway through the State of .Maine to the Lower British Provinces

iiXiSs:-j?ssii, !■-,»•

71

and to Kome good harbor on the Eastern coast of Nova Scotia," and con-
taining an invitation lo attend the Convontijn to be held in ['ortland on the
3l8t inst. in aid of the project. On the day before 1 shall havt' occasion to
go into the interior of New Ilanipahir^, I shall probably be unable to at-
tend the meeting. 1 think favorable of extendini; Railroads through our
whi'le country for the purpose of facilitatinij the comninication between
the several parts, as fast as the wants of the people require it, and as their
means will allow. Your State wns settled aiaon;j the first in the country,
and its population has increased more rapidly than any other in New Eng
land since 1790. The amount of its increase has nearly averaged that of
the United States. Considering the position of Maine in respect to the
Atlantic Ocean and the British Provinces, it is very desirable that it should
have easy communication within its own borders, and with the rest oi (he
States, not only for the convenience of its inhabitants, in peace, but for its
defence in time of war, — though I wish the war with Great Britain in
J812, to continue to be thi: last wrr with that Power to !he end of time. —
1 have not the exact knowledge of the country through wliich it is proposed
to make the road, nor of the business wants of the population, to enable mo
to say that the time has arrived for commencing the work which you pro
pose; but I feel confident that tiie time has arrived when it is proper to meet
in Convention, talk the subject over, collect information, and awaken
general attention to it. The object of holding; the conveniion, and of peti-
tioning the Legislature, as I undersla.iH it, is to obtain ar.i diffuse further
and more exact information on the subject. In the memorial to the Legis-
lature, you allude to the decennial increase of the population of the United
States since 171)0, as averaging about U3J percent., and also to the number of
emigrants who have come to tliis country of late years. It is clear to my
mind that our country has been indebted to emigration from foreign coun-
tries tor one fourth to one-third of this increase, especially for the lust :20
years. During the 25 years from 1825 to 1840, according to Jie returns
printed by order of Parliament, a copy of which for 1847, 1848, and 18"*'*
1 have just received from Mr. Lawrence, there emigrated from the United
Kingdom 2,285,i85 persons, of 1,260,247 were destined for the United
States, and 808,740 for the British North American Provinces. It is stat-
ed in Lord Durham's Report in 1839, that, of the emigrants destined for
these Provinces, probably GO per rent, go into the States; and this estimate
is supported by consideration': not there alluded to. Maine and the other
Atlantic States are the first to receive most of the emigrants from on ship-
board, of whom a lar »e portion remain in these States, and the >st pass
into the interior of the country How great the foreign element in Maine
is, I am unable to say; but I should not be surprised tG learn that 50,000
have been added to your population by foreign Immigration since June 1
1840. The increase of the p:)pulation of Massachusetts from 1840 to 1850,
has been about 240,000; for one half of whon. I am sure we are indebted to

72

foreigners who have come among u» during the timn. Pleaie accept a

copy of '• Immigration into the United Statci, " and present my compli'

mcntg to the Committee.

Yours, Respectfully,

JESSE CHICKERING.

From Prof. Champlin, of Waterville College.

Watebvillk College,
July 30, 1850.

Sir : — Your note of invitation to attend the Railway Convention to be
holden in Portland on the Slst inst., with the accompanying Circular and
Report, is at hand. I regret that my engagements are such as not to allow
ine to comply with the invitation of your Committee. Few things would
give me more pleasure than to be present on so interesting and stirring an
occasion. I have watched with lively interest, the progress of the Railroad
enterprise in this State. It began late, but has progressed thus far by ma-
jestic strides. Indeed, this seems to be the character of the enterprise in
this State. It is marked by grander features than in any other State of the
Union. It oims at connecting not only different States, but different
Countries, and, as I might say, different Continents even. Already has it
invaded the British dominions at one extremity, and is now pointing with
unmistakable indexes to the other, — aye, and to the mother country, too. —
As to the practicability, in detail, of that great branch of the enterprise
which is to come before your Convention, I, of course, am not a judge. I
can only say, that it appears highly plausible, and is characterized by
great simplicity.

With great respect, 1 have the honor to be

Your Obedient Servant,

J. T. CHAMPLIN.
To J. A. Poor, "i

C. Q.. Clapp, > Comntiltee,
A. Haines, &c. j

Mr. Poor announced that he had also received letters from a
large number of other gentlemen from various parts of the country,
all concurring in expressions of good will, and many of them of en-
tire confidence in the practicability of the scheme, and among them
from the following gentlemen, but time would not permit him to read
them.

P. P. F. Degrand, Boston.
Prof Lovering, Cambridge.
Sol. Adams, Boston.

78

Hon. F. H. Morse, Mayor of Bath.

Hon. Ruel Williams, Preiident Kennebec and Portland Railroad.

Hon. Nathan Hale.

E. Fairbanlis, Esq., President Connecticut and Pa«guin|)gic Railroad.

Hon. Judge Follett, President Burlington and Rutland Railroad.

Hon. James Brooks, M. C.

T. Parsons, Law Professor, &.C., Cambridge.

Prof. A. D. Bache, of the U. S. Coast Survey.

Mayor of Montreal.

Hon. Robert H. Gardiner.

Prof J. H. Coffin, National Observatory, Washington.

Nathan Appleton, Esq., Boston.

George F Houghton, St. Albans, Vt.

Mayor of Quebec.

Board of Trado of Quebec.

Board of Trade of Montreal.

E. C. Herrick, Esq., of New Haven.

F. B. Hayes, Esq., of Boston.

A. A. Lawrence, Esq., of Boston.

Prof. Allen, of Providence.

Hon. George Evans.

Prof. Cleaveland, of Bowdoin College.

Prof. Beck, of Albany, New York.

Hon. T. A. Stayner, Postmaster General of Canada.

Daniel Ullma.i, Esq., of New York City.

S. Raymond Lee, Esq., of Massachusetts; and very many others.

The following letters, subsequently received, are regarded by the
Committee as of sufficient interest and importance to justify their
intention in the published proceedings of the Convention, without
Intending to express any particular opinion upon any of the peculiar
views expressed by the writers.

From J. J. RoGERSON, Esq., a distinguished merchant of St. Johns>
Newfoundland, who was one day in attendance, but left without an
opportunity being offered, for him to address the Convention.

Portland, July 21, 1850.

Dear Sib :— By making St. Johns, Newfoundland, your calling port,
you can leave Gal way with considerable less coal, — your Boat will be
I'ghter, and she will steam faster, and make the voyage in one to two days

74

m

less time. You will iiave more room to carry dry goods, which payg well,
and 1 presume large quantities will be shipped by this route fur Canadsi
the Slates and Lower Provinces.

You will get your coal at St. Johns at near Halifax price, about 7s
$1 40 freight, per ton, from Cape Breton, cost 16a 6d a I8s per chaldrom
there, equal to 14 toil. St. John's Harbor lies at the ocean, five minjiites
from the entrance and the ocean, takes you to the wharves. The entrance
is free from danger,— no rocks, shoals, &c., two good lights on heads (at
the South Head, one, other on Cape Spear.) The Cunard Steamers sight
our coast about Cape Oroyle, or Cape Race (about 30 or 40 miles from St.
Johns) on their passage to Halifax.

Some Springs, about the middle of March to 15th of April, our shore is
ice bound, and it extends to the southward of Canso, beside the quantity
from and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In that case, the vessel should go
to Portland, direct. The Cunard Steamers are often obliged to go to the
southward of Halifax before they get round it to get into Halifav. St.
Johns lies 560 miles from Halifax, 360 from Sydney, about 1600 miles from
Galway.

We export annually from 4 to 5 millions dollars worth of cod fish, her-
ring, salmon, seal skins, furs, seal oil, cod oil, cod liver oil, blubber &c. t&c,
shipped to Great Britain, Brazils, West Indies, Portugal, Spain, Itnlyi
States, &c. Import 100,000 barrels flour, 25,000 do. corn meal, 8000 cwt.
bread, 15,000 bis. pork, 6 to 10,000 cwt. beef, besides 5 to 7000 horned
cattle ; butter 15 to 20,000 cwt., 8000 hds. molasses, «&c., &c., in all about
4 millions dollars annually. Population about 100,000 — 30,000 of which
are in Saint Johns — the capital of the Island.

A large amouni of Tonnage is owned in our trade, and vessels are arri-
ving and sailing all the winter, and seldom kept back by the ice. Oc-
casionly a thin ice, is made in our harbor, but nothing to obstruct a sea-
going steamer. Yours Respectfully,

JAS. J. ROGERSON.
John A. Poor, Esq., Portland.

From B. H, Latrobe, Esq., Chief Engineer of the Baltimore

and Ohio Railroad.

Baltimore, August 4th, 1850.

To John A. Poor, Esq., Portland, Maine.

Dear Sir — 1 received on my return from the West within a few days,
your letter of invitation to the Railway Convention, assembled to promote
the establishment of a line of railway connexion between Maine and the
British Provinces, to the East of that State.

1 feel flattered by the compliment of this invitation, to accept it would
have given me sincere pleasure ; but my engagements here, even had 1
received your letter in time, would have made my attendance impossible.

75

With my beet wiahes for the Buccess of your groat and most meritorious
enterprise, I beg you and liio Committee for whom you iiave acted in the
courtesy offered me, tojbelieve me with great respect.

Your and their obedient Servant,

BENJ. H. LATROBE.

From the Rev. Dr. Cahruthers, of Portland :

Portland, August 5th, 1850.

Mv Dear Sir,— I exceedingly regaet that a College engagement in
another State on the 3Ist ult., prevented my attendance on the late Con-
vention in this city, to which you and the other members of the Committee
did me the honor to invite me. I have read, with the deepest interest, the
published proceedings of the Convention, and have forwarded the " Daily
Advertiser,", for Wednesday, and the two following days of last week, to
the enlighenad editor of the "British Banner," together with the able
pampelet which you sent me, and for which please accept my thanks. Dr.
Campbell, as you are aware, wields a pen of^reat power, and the influence
of his paper is felt in all the British Colonies. You and the other prsjeo-
tors of this noble enterprise, have doubtless laid your account with opposi-
tion — which, indeed, is probably essential to its ultimate success. There
are certain members of the British aristocracy, who will probably aid the
enterprise in this way, and interpose some vaticinary allusions to its prob-
able influence on the quf>ation of British supremacy. But the British
■proper will be with you, and, if kept well informed as to your movements'
will effectually counteract by their approval and co-operation, the hostility
of the few whose hereditary rule, and " vested rights" may seem to be en-
dangered by this gigantic undertaking

Accept, Dear Sir, my thanks for your courtesy, and believe me,

Yours, very respectfully,

J. J. CARRUTHERS.

J. A. Poor, Esq.

From Hon. R. J. Walker, of Mississippi, late Secretary of tho
United States Treasury.

SCHOOLIYS' MoUWTAlN, N. J.,

August 9th, 1850.
Sir: Tor.r letter of the f32d of July, addressed to me at Washington
City, reached me yesterday at this place. It was therefore not in ray power
to comply with the request made by the Committee in your name, to atti iid
and address the Convention held at Portland, on the 31th ult., with a view
to the continuation of the great Eastern Railway, from your city to some
point in Nova Scotia, nearest to Great Britain and Ireland. This would
indeed be a work of vast importance, not only to your own State and city

76

'1

to Nova Scotia ind Now Oruniwick, but to the wliolc American Union,
and In nil the conlinonti of the old worlil. It is hoped, with the improve-
ments now be\nfr made in steamerit, it might bring lome good harbor in
Ireland within five daya of our American shorea. It would greatly enlarge
inter-national cummercc, and become a new bond to preserve tiie peace of
the world. Il would mcrease our exports to the British Provinces and to
Europe, with a corresponding augmentation of imports and revenue. It
would bring Europe so near to America, that it would greatly facilitate the
export and diffusion abroad, of our republican principles, without any dim-
inution or deterioration of the supply left fur domestic consumption. It
would hasten the Americanization of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,
and ante-date the period when both those provinces, with their own cheer-
ful assent, and that of Great Britain and this government, would fulfil
their destiny, by becoming State? of the American Union. It would greot-
ly facilitate and increase the intercourse, as well as commerce between
the old and new world. It would vastly augment emigration from Europe
to America, with a corresponding increase of wealth and capital.

I cannot doubt but that the present enlightened ministry of Greut Britain,
the great advocates of a liberal commercial policy, will aid this noble en-
terprise ; that our government will extend to it all proper facilities by
mail arrangements and otherwise, and that the rest will be accomplished
by the well-known energy of New Englgnd, aided by the co-operation of
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

From the increased speed, it seems to mc that the mail and passengers,

between both countries must generally be carried by this route, as also

light articles of great value.

With great regard, I have the honor to be,

Your Ob't. Servant,

R. J. WALKER.
John A. Pook, Esq., Portland, Me.

William Watts, Esq., of Fredrickton, was then called up-
on to address the Convention.

Mr. Watts said he was. taken by surprise, and until the bu.sines3 committee
should report some distinct propositions for discussion, he would be excused from
saying anything except in the most general terms of congratulation. But if a
warm and hearty interest in the furtherance of the project in view, could induce
a good speech, he ought to make one. It was an unusual occasion that had
brought us together. It was an extension of the right hand of fellowship from
the people of Mume, to those of a foreign power. It was the commencement of
a series of good offices, as he trusted, between the people of all these United
States, — of old England and her Colonies.

Though among strangers, he felt at home when he sa\v his country's flag peud-

t

77

in(; in the hall Ma by that nf iIir rnitml HtnlPft. Dut hn did not romn to rrpr^-
m-nt fhiit flag, — he rntiif to rt'prt-iti'nt ii ri'ding ii" lirrwd im iho world itirlf, nnil
hn regnrdni the tlagM of (irt'tit llrit.'iin mid the (niti'd StiilcH n* rfiiri'^i'Mling (hr
world, lie trustc<l ihcy wouid never wnvo over any other than friendly ht-artu,
tluit they might always float in uninon wherever freednni and civilization were
known and und<>r!<ti)od.

The project we have cotno here to conHider is one which in to niako New
Oruiixwick and Nova Srotia the pathway of imtionH. I,i>t um make our path
"straight." Ili; w:is in favor of one continuous line of Kailwiiy, till it Hhould
connect with the shortest line of steam conuiiuniration, which, with railway and
steamboat i;^ to circumscribe the world. This road is to become one great link in
that line of communication, by which the thoughts, the persons and the property
of till' world are to be disseminated, and there is no portion of thi; eiirth that has
not some interest in its accomplishment. In conclusion, he would say u.s did the
Baptist, ".Make the paths straight." VVe must have a railway, and a railway
too, by land, anc\ not across the water.

Mr. Watts said he liad no doubt of the practicability of the scheme, if the de-
liberations of the Convention should be marked by a just appreciation of the
merits of the scheme, and he doubted not that before the Convention should sep-
arate, that such an impulse would be given to it as would satisfy all u|)on this
point. With allusions to the interesting circumstances with which they are sur-
rounded, and the auspicious omens on every hand to cheer us in the work, and
the gratification he felt in being allowed to ttikc part in the proceedings of the
Convention, Mr. Watts sat down amid the most enthusiastic cheers.

He was followed by Ho.n. J. B. Uniacke, of Halifax, who,
although unexpectedly called upon, made a speech replete with
sound and practicable arguments, which was frequently inter-
rupted by the plaudits of t''o Convention. In alluding to the
British and American ensi which were draped on either side
of th<> President's chair, Uniacke remarked that they never

ought float over men ol r xon origin in any other way than
that o! unity.

"This,'' said he, "is the ardent wish of all -d iT'"n on both sides of the At-
lantic," and, said he, may tbry ever thus hang logether in amity, and never float
over hostile sects of men. To the Portlanders he gave the credit of havingorig-
inated this great movement, but assured them that the inhabitant-' of the Provin-
ces would not be behind in aiding carry it on to completion. He was in favor
of a land route, and having decided upon the best route, would not stop to in-
quire the expense, but regarding it as a national highway, wmildgo on and build
it. The object is to unite a people who liave got separated ,ind who are deter-
mined to be separated until they conn' to their senses, and then they will set
about seeking th^ nicns of reunion.

He viewed this a rno:in8 to connect the Provinces with Great Britain, as well

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78

as to connect cont'.npnts and countries of difTereni and independent governnienta.
So it muHt be viewed * . ''England and America.

The magnitude of tiic work, great ns it was, was trifling in comparison with
'ta importance, and with th»t impression he looked for support and countenance
from all persons who sincerely desired peace, and the best interests of the whole
civilized world. In the course of his remarks, Mr. I'niacke alluded to the near
relation of our own with the mother country, in terms worthy the heart of a pat-
riot, a stiitesmar and a Christian — and his sentiments met with a most enthusias-
tic response from the crowded assembly.

On the conclusion of his remarks, at half past 6 o'clock, the Convention ad-
journed till 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1850.

[second day.]

The Convention met at 9 o'clock, pursuant to adjourument. —
Mis Exellenc} Gov. Hubbard in the chair. The hall was more
crowded than on yesterday.

The committee on business not being prepared to report, the
President called upon John Clark Hall, Esq. , M. P. P. of No-
va Scotia, to address the Convention.

Mr. Hall remarked that as the Committee had not reported their doings to the
meeting, he did not deem it his duty to enter into the general merits of the ques-
tion, although fully prepared to do so. He would, therefore, confine himself to
a view of tho vast importance of the plan proposed to be accomplished. It is a
matter of pride that we meet for this grand object, which has for its aim the
amelioration of our condition as a people, and for its end that of the whole hu-
man family. Mr. Hall expressed in glowmg terms the pleasure and pride he ex-
perienced in meeting on so interesting an occasion, having for its object the ad-
vancement of the amelioration of the human race. Britain he considered the par-
ent— the Provinces the chi'd — and the United States the elder brother. Viewing
them in these relations, he dwelt at length upon the ties which should and must
bind them together, commingling their interests, and uniting them in the bonds of
fraternal unity and love. The objest of the Provinces, he said, was not in
this work, to estrange themselves from their mother country, or their fealty to the
Crown, but to show that they could do something for themselves — and to endeav-
or to attain that higher position wliich t)ie elder brother has attained, — and far-
ther, so that if the fostering care of the parent should ever be -withdrawn, to cul-
tivate such terms of intimacy with the brother, that the younger child might look
to him for advice and assistance — at all events, they would aim not to disgrace
the one, while they attempted to emulate the virtues of the other.

79

People who speak o romnion 'angunge cannot full to l)«come one in Hcntiniont,
in feeling, nml in action. We all speak the goinl oM F'ngli.sh tonf,'ue. We have
the same religion, the name laws and the same literature. We all in common
have the poetry and the language of Milton and of Shakespeare, and in connec-
tion he ref(!rred to the energy of the Ha.vori race, which triumphed liefore the walls
at Monterey, as at Agincoi'rt, a.id at ('res.sy.

Our purpose is to draw two great people togf tlier hy a closer cord, who have
been estranged, to a certain extent, until the present time; we meet for the pur-
pose of drawing together alFections which ought never to have be<!n separateiL

lie then inquiri^d, what has rai.sed your country to its high position .' The an-
swer he found in your noble system of free schools, and the provision made for
every child to prepare himself for the highe.-,: po.sts of honor in the nation. The
great element of the prosperity of the States, said Mr. Hall, is not traceable di-
rectly to your railroads or jour factories. The school system, is the source of
New England power. I'very one is taught to know who he is, and what bis r(!-
sponsibilitics are. The knowledge that the New England people possess is that
which constitutes her power — gives energy to her mind, vigor to her thought, and
renders her equal to meet every emergency and to overcome every obstacle. —
Every child is brought up to know that he must curve out his own fortune, with
tlie lively hope that he may elevate himself even to the occupancy of the proud-
est position in the gift of the people. It is f-jr these reasons that he approbated
this magnificent Railroad scheme. By it, he expected an impulse would be given
to the people of the Provinces, and lead them to attempt to rival their more pros-
perous neighbors.

lie then alluded to the manner in which this project had been undertaken.

Whoever was the originator of this great enterprise has so far achieved for
himself a name that cannot be forgotten. The time is past, said Mr. Hall, when
in any country war is to be used for the purposes of aggression ; and when he
heard the President of the Convention approach tliis topic in so eloquent and dig-
nified a manner, it seemed to him we were approaching that consummation which
the prophet had in view, when men should learn war no more. Peace, meek-
eyed peace, is the happiness of nations and the glory of God. Througii peacefu)
achievments your improvements will go un, your agriculture will flourbh until
the United States becomes ;

"The exhauatless granary of the world."

He would conclude, by saying, that the subject was so vast, that pha^e af-
ter phase presented itself before the idea which they give rise to, could be ut-
tered. He would, therefore, remark that wherever Xhn Railroad should be loca-
ted, by the wisdom of the Convention, he would bid it Gcd speed. By estab-
lishing new sources of intercommunication, he hoped to see his own native coun-
try taking more rapid strides in the pathway of progress. He alluded to the ma-
tual friendliness existing between the two countries, which, cementini by inter-
marriages among their respective citizens, &c., was daily becaming stronger, and
congratulated the assemblage on the prospect now dawning of riveting them to-
gether by iron clasps.

Mr. Hall took his seat amidst deafening demonatiations of applause.

w

80

John Appleton, Esq , being called upon, responded ivith be-
coming courtesy, to the sentiments uttered, in behalf of his fel-
low citizens, and addressed the Convention in substance as fol-
lows ;

The excitement and intercBt of the Convention carried his thoughts back a few
years to a period when there were no railroads in Maine, and when a little com-
pany of persons met together in a chamber of the Exchange to consider
the practicability of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Rrailroad. He well remem-
bered the doubts and fears which then threatened to prevent the commencement
of that great enterprise, and how its magnitude and its grandeur almost
deterred men from venturing upon its construction; but happily the project
was in the hands of those who possessed energy and determination, and it was
not therefore suffered to fail. It is now beginning to speak its own praises. From
that perio<l to the present, it has been struggling nobly on, always meeting diffi-
culies, but always overcoming them, until now its iron arm has been extended to
the very extremity of Oxford County, and is eagerly reaching forward to meet
that othei arm which is stretched out towards it from the market place of Mon-
treal. The success of that experiment is no longer doubtful, and, as good al-
ways, begets good, other enterprises of a similar character have followed in its
train. We had now the Androscoggin road, and the Kennebec road, and the
York and Cumberland road, all born of the Atlantic road, and all destined to do
credit to their parentage, and to accomplish valuable results for the State. Still
other roads had been confidently projected, and Maine had now fairly entered
upon a noble system of public improvements. We were just in a favorable con-
dition, therefore, to meet our friends from the Provinces, upon the subject which
had occasioned this meeting, and by nearly exhausting ourselves with previous
enterprises, we had given ourselves the best possible preparation for a new work.
Portland would lend to it every encouragement within her power. Her own ex-
perience had taught her how resolution and perseverance could secure success
even with scanty resources and feeble means, and from that experience she was
ready to kindle at this time fresh zeal and courage for herself, and to confirm and
strengthen the confident anticipations of her neighbors.

He then spoke of the value of the proposed road, its probable advantages to
Maine and New Brunswick and Nova Scotia had been already sufficiently de-
monstrated by the eloquent statistics of the gentleman from Massachusetts. He
had placed vividly before our eyes the wonder-working process by which improv-
ed communications beget new settlements and increased business all along their
lines, and had taught us with what certainty we might expect similar results from
our proposed enterprise. But this was no State work. It did not aim to unite
towns and cities and Commonwealths, but to connect hemispheres. And this it
expected to do, by bringing more closely together the two great Anglo-Saxon na-
tions of the world. Great Britain and the United States possess together a pow-
er which can defy resistance. They rejoice in the same common origin, and
feel coursing through their veins the same master blood. Their arms and their
energy have hitherto proved overmatches for any competition, and it is only when

81

they meet each othrr that victory ho^sitate^ to ilfclare ilj*elf. But he preferretl to
conteiiiiilute them, not u-f warrior nations Htruggling to extend their riiipreninry,
but as peaceful iniHiiioiiaries rather, engaged in the civilization and iuipro\etueiit
of mankind. For these objectii what have they not done already? \Vho can
calculate the inipul.-iu whirli hn^ heen given to the world by their united efforts :
They are inspired alike by the language of Shakespeare, and have learned
the same lessons from the laws of Alfred; and if the one is the most republican
of the nations of Ihe earth, the other is the freest monarchy in Christendom. The
events of the la.st few years had increased his respect for the Mriiish Cioveri;-
inent. He had seen it standing firm amidiit the convulsions of F.urope, Ix-causc
it hdd known how to conform its actions in a great measure, to the demands ainl
wishes of its people. It had conceded reforms, while yet concession was in its
power. Other thrones had been shaken by the obsliitacy of their occupants, but
that of England remained firm, because it gradually became liberal. In other
nations revolutions had been by battle and the sword, but in Englaiid the revolu-
tion in favor of freedom had been none the less certain, because it had been a
revolution of peace. And now we desired to connect more closely the American
R'epublic and the British Monarchy — to bring more nearly together the chief seats
of commerce in the old world and the new — to auiuhilate hundreds of miles of
distance between Liverpool and New York — and thus to add to the commercial
advantages and the civilizing power of each country. The gentleman who pre-
ceded him, (Mr. Hall) had anticipated this connection in language of eloquent
congratulation. In the name of his fellow-citizens of Portland he felt call:'''
upon to respond to those congratulations with the warmest fouling and the most
hearty emphasis. (Cheers.) We rejoice, he said, to meet our brethren from the adja-
cent Provinces, and to consult with them upon our mutual interests. Providence
decreed their lines of life upon the same continent with us, and in all good neigh-
had borhood, he hoped we were about beginning together a new and better career
of improvement and prosperity. We had hitherto been comparatively strangers,
but we hoped now to join iron bands together and so to establish a connection, that
hereafter, we can never be anything else than acquaintances and friends. If in
our institutions our visitors have found anything at all worthy of their imitation
at home, we on the other hand have lohrned, by what we have seen and heard
to-day, to estimate at no small value, those regions east of us which can furnish
so generous and able and elo' lent a representation as that wlii':h has animated
and cheered this meeting. We desire to know more intimately the peoi)li» who
are able to send abroad such specimens as these, and we reciprocate with our
whole hearts all their kind expressions of courtesy and respect. And why should
we not be friends ? Different Hags float over us; but they fiout no longer in war,
but in friendly rivalry and honorable competition. We live under different (iov-
emments; but they are Governments, alike in origin, similar in laws, and becom-
ing constantly more nearly connected in business relations, and in their general
influence upon mankind. Together, their mission has been, and is and must be
a mission of civilization and improvement. Their ships go everywhere, and
wherever they go they carry with them the seeds of knowledge and the religion
of the Bible ; and by their steamboats and railways they literally almost girdle
U

82

thf! earth with infliionros for good. With thii< ontorprisB roniplotwl, nnd our
overland road to the I'arific nrcoinpllshfHl, what n glorious rirrln of di^tanrn !<hall
we he ahle to purine, when w«'. take the Hteaiiihoat froin Han Franrisrolo f'hinn,
and tlu'iK'i- follow an uninterrupted line of Hteaiii eoinniuiiieation, until we find
oiirHelvett, after having touched at l/iverpind and New York, safely hack against
tl)e point from which we started I What invention then can he monopolized ? —
What viihiahle thought ronfined to u Hingh; nation ? Kverylhing uxeful to the
world niustt then he employed for the goml of the world, and there is no Japan or
(.'eleslial City which can long resist it« power. (Chfiers.)

It is towards such a consummation that we would make this enterprise contri-
bute. .And let no man douhl that it is practinahle. The day of things imprncti-
cahle has passed away. We live in times when no object should seem startling,
and iill distances can he safely defied. It 's not long since scien e itself declared
that the ocean could not Iks ust'luliy navigated by steam, and those v.ho engnge<l
in the experiment to do so, pursued their way under great discouragements, nnd
against many dou'its. But now every steamer as she takes her weekly depart-
ure from England and .America, breathes indignant contempt for any such pre-
diction, and goes careering against wind and storm across the Atlantic, as ifrnws
strikingly to display her pow. r, and more signally to honor those who were wil-
ling first to trust it. The Atlantic Ferry is now a fixed fact ; and it only remains
for us to use it to the best advantage — or in other words, to make it as short &g
possible. This we propose to do by a railroad to Cape Canso. There we find
Uie nearest point of communication with (Jreat Britain., and there consequently
nature has pointed out to commerce the proper point for connecting the two na-
tions. The importance of the connection is itself a pledge that the connection
will be made. What the leading countries of Europe and America desire to have,
they will not fail sooner or later to secure. The work is eminently a national
work, and we have a right therefore to ask the means for its completion, in every
connnercial city of Great Britain and the United States. Let us not8hr.ii..,then,
from its prosecution, but proportion rather the strength of our zeal, to the grun-
di;ur of the undertaking we propose, and thus prepare ourselves to carry it for-
wanl to ii successful accomplishment. In this age of the world, no man has a
right to deny his efforts towards the improvement of his race. He owes a duty
not only to himself and to his family, but to his country, and mankind. And
"lovidence haa wisely ordered it that these duties are never likely to war togeth-
er. The lesson t.f poetry accords with the lesson of experience —

"This above all: To tliino own self be true,
And it must follow, as llie iiiglil the day,
Tbou CBiisi not then be falxe to any man."

This was the first time that Maine and the lower Provinces had met in Council.
Let us hope that it will not be the last; hut that they may long continue to inter-
change not only the products of business relations, hut kindness, also, and cour-
tesv, and cordial esteem, until they shall hardly he able to realize that they are
not citizens of the same country, and bound by allegiance to the same Govern-
ment. {Long and rupturous applause.)

83

for-

has a

duty

And

ogeth-

While Mr. Apim ton was spraking. the Committee on Ruai-
nc33 camo in, and at the conclusion of his remarka, the cheers
that foIh>we(l, told how heartily all present concurred in his sen-
timents.

Hon. L. A. Wilmot Attorney General of N. B. and Chair-
man of the Business Committee, repotted, "That by virtue of
power delegated to them, the Committee had added to their
numhcrs, J. 1). Frazicr, Esq., M. P. P., of Windsor, Nova Sco-
tia, Hon. W. B. S. Moor, of Bangor, Hastings Strickland, Esq.,
of Bangor; and that the gentlemen named had taken part in the
proceedings of the Committee.'"

The Hon. gentleman then submitted to the Convention, in be-
half of the Committee, the following

REPORT.

The Committee to report on the business cf the Convention,
have prepared the following Resolutions, which they respectful-
ly submit:

Resolved, Ist. That the spirit of the Age and the progress of modern improve-
ment, demand the most rapid andcertiiin means ofintercommunicution between tho
people of the Old World and those of the New.

P.csoVjed, 2d. That this object can behest elfected by the construction of a line
of railway, leading from the great seats of population and business in the United
States and Canada, through Maine and the Province of New lirunswick to some
convenient Port on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia.

Resolved, 3d. As the firm and deliberate opinion of this Convention, that the
time lias arrived when the construction of such a line of railway s'lould be com-
menced, and that it should be designated The European and North
American Railway.

Resolved, 4th. That this great Railway, coDn3cted as it will be with Ocean
Steam Navigation and the railway systems of the whole of Kurope and America,
which traverse Empires, Kingdoms, Colonies and Stiites for the advantage of all,
deserves to be regarded, not by t'.ie commercial world alone, but by the States-
man, the Lawgiver, and the Philanthropist, as one of the greatest links in that
mighty chain which is fast encircling the whole earth, strengthening the bands of
brotherhood and Christian fellowship, multiplying the ties of lineage, and helping
to constitute of all mankind, but one great Commonwealth of Nations.

Resolved, 5th. That as a network of railways now overspreads a great portion
of the United States and theCanadas, and extends from the Far WesJ to the val-
ley of the Kennebec in one unbroken and continuous line, it is expedient the
European and North American Railway should consist of an uninterrupted line of
communication by land from the valley of the Kennebec eastwardly through New
Brunswick to the EusVern Coast of Nova Scotia from whence the Ocean may be

84

cro««od by Hteainahips to the U'e.nern Coa«t of iroland, as the shortest Ferry
acrotta the Atlnntic.

Resolceil, 6th. TImt as a nieiinti orcoiiiinuiiication for all thiie between tlie Na-
tions of I'.uropi!, and l!io wiiole of North America, this Railway should he built in
a durable and substantial manner.

RfsohC'l, 7lh. That by shortening the time of transit .icross the Atlantic Ocean
by at least one-third, the entire business travel between Europe and America will
be eventually drawn over this line of railway.

RemlvcJ, 8th. TI tthe through business which the proposed line of railway must
command, independently of way and local triifiic, will render it a most profitable un-
dertaking and cause the commercial value of its stock to be equal to that of any
railway in the world.

Resolved, 9th. That from the valley of the Kennebec in Maine to the Eastern
terminus on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, the proposed line of r.iilway will
traverse a country abounding in natural resources and possessing all tne elements
of wealth and commercial greatness in nn unusual degree ; that although now
sparsel)' populated, this line of country under railway influence will soon become
densfily peopled, and every species of industry will be called into existence among
its inhabitants.

Rexoiced, 10th. Thr.t this Railway demands for its completion, the united and
vigorous action of citizens orthe United States — of all British subjects — and of all
who desire to promote agriculture, connnerce, manufactures, and the progress of
the arts and sciences in connection with the firm establishment of peace and good
will upon Earth.

Resolved, 11th. That the State of Maine, and the Provinces of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia shall be called upon to grunt concurrent charters for the incorpo-
ration of Companies to construct the proposed Railway from the valley of the
Penobscot to the eastern terminus in Nova Scotia.

Resolved, 12th. That in addition to individual subscriptions for shares in the
proposed companies, the aid of the public lesources of Maine, New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia, shall be solicited to the extent of one-half the cost of this line of
Railway ; that grants of the public lands near the line, shall also be asked ; and
that the Province of Canada shall also be solicited to contribute towards the con-
struction of a work of such great importance to its public and private interests.

Resolved, 13th. That a special appeal shall be made to the stockholders hi all
railroads between New York and London, for aid to this Railway, which to them
will be of much pecuniary advantage, by promoting an endless stream of travel
and traflic.

Resolved, 14th. That application shall be made to the Governments of Great
Britain and the United St;ites resp<-ctively, for conditional contracts for trasporting
the Eurjopean and North American iMails over this railway, for a long period, at
r^.nunerating rates.

Resolved, 13th. That no subscriptions for shares shall be asked, until Acts of
Incorporation are first secured, and the necessary aids of public credit and of the
piiblic lands are first obtained.

85

Renolved, IGili. 'I'linl thi; I.cgislaturr nf >fHin(' now in ftc+iion, shall Ikj ciillml
upon to grniit a Charter forthwitli, for tho iiicurporiitinii of a r(mi[)aiiy to coiHtruft
that portion of the line between the valley of the I'enohHCot and tho Eastern
Boiimlary of the State.

Resolved, 17th. That a Central I'xecutive Committee of seven (tliall he choaen
for carrying out the various nieasiircn indicated in the foregoing resolutions, and
effecting such other olyects as will liest ensure the spcetly commencement of the
work.

Resolved, 18th. That the Central E.xecutive Conmiittee shall nppoint local
Committees along the proposed line to correspond with the Central Conmiittee
and facilitate the progress of the work.

Resolved, l!)th. That the proceedings of this Convention shall hi- carefully
and authentically drawn up and published in convenient form for general circula-
tion in Europe and America.

He further stated that an amendment, to the 5th resolution had
been proposed in committee, and been rejected, by a majority of
the committee, and that by unanimous consent, he was directed
to report the proposed amendment to the Convention, in order
that the whole subject matter, be fairly considered. The propos-
ed amendment was in the words following, viz. :

Whereas several routes have been suggested for the proposed Railroad tiirough
the Province of Nova Scotia, and it is desirable that the most certain inforuiation
within the means of the Convention should be obtained before the particular line
be selected in an adventure of such magnitude

Resolved, Therefore that a committee be appointed of gentlemen of thel'nlted
States uninterested la any of the local considerations that atVect the inha'-itants of
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the question indicated in the above Preamble,
whose office it shall be personally to inspect the dilferent routes proposed fortrav-
ersing Nova Scotia with the following objects concerning each specially in view.

The distance and time of transit by each — the physical advantages and disad-
vantages ; the population, resources, and nature of the country, including the means
of providing for the work ; the probable way passage and traffic, and the
amount of subscriptions from the inhabitants that might be justly relied on; and
most particularly the general cost and means of raising the necessary funds within
a reasonable period, and the time when tho undertaking may be brought into
efl\jctive operation by each route.

And that the Committee report on these and other points of comparison which
they may deem important as respects each line, to the Standing Committee, and
such report finally to determine the route to be accepted as final, by Maine, New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Having submitted the foregoing report on behalf of the com-
mittee on business, Mr. Wilmot said there was one other reso-
lution which the committee adopted, whether for good or evil, he
knew not, which was, that the chairman should offer to the Con-

86

vcntion such remarks upon tin; gciicial subject as he might deem
fit and becoming to the occasion.

This announcement was received with the most enthusiastic
cheers.

Mr. WiLMOT spoke in substance as follows :

Mr. President ami Geulhmen :

I find iny.sblf in u nuw pusitiuii, in luldiLMsiMg u Ctinvention in a city, in a
Statri, and under ii governnieiit tiiat i.t foi't-igri to iiic, as fur as citizcnsiiip iit cnn-
cernt'd. But I feel iny.suif ut liouie, for I iini itinoiig tlio.se wlio derive tlieir iiilicr-
ituiice from tii!; Sitiiie cuiiiuiuii unceslry. 1 luii, .Mr. I'resident, not u fou of .New-
Eiiglund, but a grandson, and I can find tlie old gruve-stoiicti wliicli indicate the
graves of my ancestors, in a pleasant village of Connecticut. (Cheers).

We in the Provinces came to this Convention at your cull, we have responded
to your invitation and you have given us a brother's welcome. Physiologista
afiirni that the exercise of the muscles tend to their enlargement and fuller devel-
openient ; and phrenologists attirm that the exercise of the different fuculties de-
velopes in a corressponding degree the bump upon the cranium. I would beg to
add something to this category, — the exercise of benevolence and kindness en-
larges the heart, and since 1 liuve been among you I have felt my heart grow big
within me. (Repeated cheers.)

I am delighted to see this day, and could I give expression to the emotions which
swell up within me I would do so, but my power fails in the attempt, and I can-
not presume to make a speech.

We do not, however, meet to consult about California, whcro one hundred ami
twelve hour speeches are necessary, or about the admission of New Mexico into
the Union. Our objects is to effect an admission into the great Railroad Union,"
and on this question we admit of no "compromi '«." We go straight ahead in our
purposes, and the union will be effected. (Cheers.)

I know, Mr. President, tis a great work in which we are engaged. I know
tlint it looks vast, if not impossible of achioveiiient to those who have not studied
its relations and its details. But to those who look ut it through the enlarged
medium which its contemplation excites, will find that difiiculties diminish, as its
importance increases upon their vLsion.

Look ut the progress of similar enterprises among yourselves in the State of
Maine, and other parts of New England, and then suy whether any thing is re-
quired of us, but union of effort, and faith in the result of our exeitions. In pros-
ecuting our efforts in this mutter, we must have fuith ; but us fuith without work
is dead, let us put forth our exertions and go steadily forward to a speedy and
glorious completion of our grout enterprise. ("Cheers.)

If the timid falter and the doubting hold back, there are others who will take
their places and keep our ranks full. We have only to hold on to our position,
and drive back the army of doubters, or opposers, who may resist our march.
We must give them the same reception that General Taylor gave to the army of
Santa Anna ut Bueiia Vista. If opposed by superior numbers, or if on any pjirt

87

uf tlH> (i<*IJ thf're arc th(Mi> who Itrsitati', or hold hack whun ii lalroiiK l>*>l>l <>!' llu*
enniiiy i^ to he rnrricd, I would repont the ord<'r of (Jen. Tiiylor — " ,'i IttUe
more, gntpf C'lipt. I'oor." CIVcinciidiuM ( liccrH.)

Il i« written in the d('rre«>« of ctcmiil Providtsnce, Mr. !V«'!<idt'nt, that wn ihiill
learn war no more ; w<> may tlu'ii i;o on .^jdn hv .lidt- with ({lorioiH <>niul»tion for
the caus<; of virtue and |ihiliirithrn{iy throughuut thti world, Htriviu); whoitluill out-vie
each other. How changed in every respect now, in the condition of our race.
How glorious the sij^ht of two great people uniting; as one, "to draw more elonelj
the hands of i)rollierhood," lltut yet siiall iiiiikt; of "«// mmikinil. /till one s^real
brotherhooil of nations.^'' The gentimunt of that resolution which end)odies this
idea is worthy of its unthor and of the AinffiiMM cliarncter ; hut it is also n senti-
ment to which the people of the British Empire will resjiond. ((.'heers.)

Sir, I found in the (.'irculiir which invittnl \\* here thijt oentiment tapressed,
in terms which aroused the to fullest enthusiasm, the minds of every man in the
British I'rovinces. "The spirit of peace has at last prevailed — national animos-
ities, sectional and political hostility have disappeared hetw ecu the Kii^lisli races,
since the establishment of the boundaries nf Maine and Oregon, and the contests
of war have been succeeded by u noble and generous rivalry for the promotion of
llie arts of peace. The introduction of the steamship and the railway, has made
former enemies friends. National hostility has given way to commercial and so-
cial intercourse, and under whatever form of government they may hereafter ex-
ist, they can never again become hostile, or unfriendly." (Cheers.)

To this sentiment I respond with all my heart. It is this sentiment that has
brought us together. I know not, who was author of this Circular, but whoever he
may be — in the name of every Englishman — in the name of every American, sir,
in the name of humanity, I tender him thanks. (Cheers.)

An enterprise aiming to accomplish such results, and which is in and of itself
calculated to produce such results, cannot fail of success. The whole civilized
world is interested in its accomplishment. There are some good old fashioned
people who think we are going too fast and too far in our rail-road enterprises.
We have, they say, lived and got along well enough without rail-roads, and now
you seem to think that your temporal .salvation depends upon it! Ulot out your
telegraphs, lay up your steam-boats, — what darkness would come ujwn the world.
We must here form our.selves into a council of war, for the purpo.4e of combatting
these old prejudices, and instead of being turned away from our objects, we wil'
take stronger grounds than ever attempted before.

Mr. President, we of the Provinces have made up our minds no longer to re-
main quiet in our present condition. With all the fine natural advantages our
cvsntry possesses, we make comparatively slow progress, and our Province itself
is scarcely known to the world. I shall be pardoned here for relating an anecdote
to illustrate the truth of this remark.

In a recent visit to Washington upon official business, I had occasion to tarry
a few days in the city of New York, and amorg other places that I visited with
a friend, was one of the colleges in the city. My friend introduced me to a
learned professor, as his friend, the "Ailorney General of JVcw Brunswick."
We entered into conversation on a variety of matters, and he inquired when I came

88

iivi'r to the (:ity,ariil.'iiilo viiriouN iimtltrK goinj^oiiin llic tifii^hliniiiig Htiitc. Seei'ig
thi' (iiintHluMiCllii! Iiiiriii'd pr<ifct«or, I thought i( h.inlly kinil to mortify him by
rorrcrlirig it,ani! I iiihwitciI in lh« hc^t way I cniilil, iiixl t<Mik my leave ; iiml to
thin time, I 8Uppoi«>>, tho Icnnieil proffNgor thiiil<H,'he hiul heen tnlking with the
Allorney (ieiiiTiil of ihi? fini! oUl Htale of Ntrw Jerney ! ('rri'iiiendouu rheerw.)

St:('iii;{ that my own country ilnelf wan harilly known bf-yonil itt own honnd«,
I felt II littln priile that nIiu nIiouIiI not alway* reiiiHin in thin ronilition. I folt ha
iiiHiiy of my fritMiiU and neighhorH have lonjf felt, tint we nnwt look at home, for
the MKNinH of ..inkiii(5 our I'rovince honored and respected abroad. And we
intend to open thin line of rail-way entirely aro«« thf breadth of our Province and
h.ing ourRelvcH into connection with the world. (CI eers.)

iMr. Prcnident, I eannot oiriit, in tlii.s ronnertion, the exprennion of my profound
regard for the American I'liion. It is the Union of these State*, that haH given
you greatneKS and ntrength at home and the respect and adniiratinn of the civiliz-
ed world. (I,oiig eoiitimn.d cheers.)

The great interests of Christianity, of philanthropy, and of liberty, throughout
the world, depend upon the I'liion of these States, We, of New Bninswiok, of
Nova Scotia, and of Canada, are deeply interested in its exigtenre. If there is
any question of the day that interests us inor-j than all others, it is this very ques-
tion of the pfrpetiiily of the Union. For myself, I think there should be passed
a law, providing that the man who could even cor.eeive the idea of a dissolu-
tion of the I'nion, should be guilty of treason. In the sincerity of my heart, I
say, perish the man who should dare to think of it ! (Tremendous cheers.)

Mr. Wilmot then proceeded to consider the resolution offered by way of amend-
ment to the 6th resolution, and objected to the navigation of the Bay of Fuudy,
from Digby to St. John, by steam, contemplated in the rente advocated by the
mover, on account of the dense fogs in summer and storms in winter, which
might interrupt or delay travel, &c.

Mr. W. concluded by thanking the friends of Portland for their hospitality. As
one member of the legislature of New Brunswick, he promised his hearty support
to this measure in that legislature, both in money and in lands, so far ns his influ-
ence extended, and as a member of the government of the province, he promised
it.s hearty co-operution in the proposed rail road. (Long and repeated cheers.)

Tlie reporter ofthese remarks feels it due to the speaker and
to himself to say, that he has been entirely unable to give any
thii?g like a report of the remarks of Mr. Wilmot

"Mr, Wilmot," as stated by another, "delivered one of the most
spicy, eloquent and enlivening' speeches which we ever heard —
which, while it kept the audience in the best spirit, was replete
with noble sentiments, commending thernsel.es to the hearts of
all present. His remarks were generally upon the moral, social
and intellectual influences which would result from the contem-
plated work. No sketch would do justice to its power and beau-
ty, its flushes of wit and humor."

-Mr. PiivoR, Mayor of the city of Ilnlifnx, was called to the
chair, during iho temporary absonco of the President, and the
four first resolutions were greeted with hearty cheers, and pasB-
ed unanimously ; and when the name was announced — " Tiir,
European ano Nortii-Amkkican Railway — ii was received and
adopted with great a|>plause, and long continued cheering.

On the rcadingof the 5th, Hon. J. W. Johnston of Halifax, a
Delegate for Annapolis, Nova Scotia, moved the amendment pro-
posed in Committee as a substitute.

Mr. Johnhton siiiil, tlwit ill representing tho views ofhii* corislitueiitft on tlii.-t
question, he lieggcd to iix.surc the Convention thiit there i.-* nothiiif; in the tliglilext
degree antiigoiiiHtic to the great purjxwe of the Convention. ""•<; iniportiinct! of
the ineasnre, he considered, xhoiild settle nil minor questions.

VVIien rni!wny Hpeeulutors meet together thc^y weigh its coinmerciiii ad-
viintiiges. These ronsidcrationa ure all proper, but when a question of this kind
is presented to the peopli; these inferior considerations, as they may be called,
are swallowed up, in the grand and vast interests involved. It in a national quet-
tion. (Cheers.)

He rejoicetl at his good fortune in being allowed to take a part in its I'lellhera-
tinns. Notwithstanding the most pressing personal claims upon his attention else-
where, he hiid felt unwilling to disregard the wishes of a constituency which he
had the honor to represent, not only in this Convention, but in the govcrniiient of
the Province, which is his home. (Cheers.)

Their views and their interests he was every ready to second and promote, as
far as consistent with the interests of the whole Province. Their views had been
briefly expressed in the memorial which he had the honor to lay upon the Presi-
dent's table yesterday.

Before adverting to the considerations in favor of the Ilalifa.x and Windsor line
over the continuous land route, Mr. Johnston said he could not forbear to join
his voice in unison with those who had spoken of the influence of this Conven-
tion upon the social and commercial interests of the people of both nations who
were here represented. He felt the influence of this sentiment in every thing he
uttered, and did not desire to jar upon the harmony of the Convention. He de-
sired that an intelligent o])inion should govern the proceedings of the Convention,
and therefore he desired that a resolution aeeking information should find no op-
position. (Cheers.)

His constituents had the same great objects in view, as the advocates of the
continuous laud route, and would not be behind them in devotion to the eause.
He himself had a right to claim a common sympathy. For he, like the gentle-
man who preceded him, was a descendant of the Anglo American race. His
ancestors were from the city of Savannah. His earliest recollections were asso-
ciated with the United States, and he had looked with admiration upon her pro-
gress. He begged permission to join in the expression of a similar regard for the
.American Union, and an equally strong desire for its perpetuity. (Cheers.)

12

90

Mr. Joliimtnn gave some iiii«Rji>l*<.s illu.-itratiiig tlie f.'iiijrgy and the during of the
Aniericiin chariirtiT, iiiui spoke of th« iiifluenci' whicli tlie two gri'iit nations rL'|>-
reneiiti'l liy ihi? flags whicli float over us, could achieve, in advancing the great
interi'M.H of the race.

Mr Johnston said he was aware of the eniliarrassnient under which those
wlio entertained tlie same views as himself, were placetl, from the fact that while
New Urunswifk, with her twenty eight delegate's, was unanimous in favor of a
rontipuousland route. Nova Scotia had geographical dilliculties of a very peculiar
character. The pro\iiice of Nova Hcotia has a peculiar geographical couiitruction.
It Is a pi'iruHula. The IViy of Ftimly running up forms two other l)ays,Cobequid
and fuiMlierlaiid hays, hriiiging ocean na\igatiiin aliimsl in our rentre. The valley
watered liy the .Annapolis ami Cornvvallis rivers is one of singular beauty. From
th(! gut of .Vnnapolis to lower Horton the country is one of the richest fertility and
of gre;'t agricultural resource*. The idea of the comnmnity I represent is that
through this country you have facilities for the construction of a railroad to be met
with nowhere else. You have a perfect level, and there is not a single obstruc-
tion to he met with. It is a dead level, upon a sandy plain. A railroad can be
constructed on this line at a small expense. This railroad is within the means of
Nova Scotia without any foreign assLstance.

lie ridiculed the idea of the dangers which had been thrown out in regard to
the Hiiy of I'undy, contending that they were nothing compared to those of the
Irish Channel, and appeahxl to the records to sustain his statement. He stated
that for t\v(>iity years the Hay of Fundy had been navigated by steamers of an
inferior class, yet still there had been no loss of vessel or of extensive loss of life.
His New IJrunswick brethren had a kind of hydrophobia about this matter. The
waters of the Ray frightened them. His chief argument was, that the ditference
in the exp(!use of constructing the two routes, rendered the other impracticable.
He wished a careful survey made by disinterested persons, and would state that
his constituents would cheerfully abide the result, and extend their aid to the pro-
ject, even though the decision should be adverse to their preferences.

Tho reporter feels called upon to say, that the brief sketch of
Mr. Johnson's remarks give but a faint idea of his speech, which
for more than an hour held the undivided attention of the Con-
vention, abounding in the richest imagery, the choicest dictiort,
and the closest deductions of logic. The impossibility of a re-
vision by the speakers, compel the publishers to send out the re-
ports of the speeches at the Convention in their present meagre
form.

Mr. WiLMi" r replied to Mr. Johnston's remarks in reference to the navigation
of tho Bay of Fuudy, and proceeded in a humorous strain of remark to show the
impracticability of the Western or Bay route, because of tho uncertainties of sum-
mer navigation and the severe storms of winter.

He was willing to acknowledge that he was somewhat afllicted with the Faii-
Jy-Hylrophobiii. He feared if that route was selected they would have to intro-

91

duci' a new set of iKivigator;*, wiio would sail tlifir boats In tlio aid ufllnir iioscs,
Htiielliiig tliL- land through the fogs.

Travelling Ujjon lh;it I5ay, he had discovered a new sjtecies of nav.^ators there,
those who could steer hv the nose. Onee in u dense fog, w here it was dilKrult to
determine where they were, he heard the ery, "cijsc her," "/j(///o," "forward
there," "doiit you smell land!" Sureenough they did smell, land and nitide the
shore within a few rods of the place they started from. (Cheers.)

The reason why there had b(M,"n no !)oats lost on the Bay is that they don't go
fast enough to rini into trouble. Put one of our fast steamer:) down there unditho
would be forty roils on the roeks before she oonld bo stopped. After relating one
or two more anecdotes wliicli told rather jiointrdly on the advocates cf the I'igby
route, Mr. Wilmot conclude*! by remarking that he helieveil it would be found
Lest, in con.structing this railway, to have it laid on the land. Lines of travel
would never be sustained across the Irish Channel, if its dangers could be avoid-
ed by going round one liundied and fifty miles. In regard to the amei. hnent, he
should feel inclined to move a " Wilmot Proviso," as follows : Provided, twver-
theless, that no part of said railway he laid on the water. He said the delegates
from New Brunswick were unanimous in their opinion in favor of the land r-nite,
while the Nova Scotians were not unanimous in favor of the Digby route. (Cheers.)

Mr. FnAziER, of Windsor, N. S. and nRMnberof the Provincial I'arliament,
said he came from a section of the country where speakers were accustomed to
talk remarkably large to very small audiences. He characterized Mr. Wilmot's
fog story as a bugbear. When, he asked, was a mail ever lost in cros^iing the
Bay of Fundy. The difficulties and dangers of that navigation had been largely
exaggerated. He did not come to the convention in a captious spirit, nor were the
views of his constituents in favor of a route whose terminus should be at Digby
connecting with the bay, captious or inireasonablo. They state their pref-
erences, and their fears that the eastern or upper route would be found impracti-
cable. This is the principle upon which Mr. Johnston offered his ameiidnient.
The difference of e.\i)ense in the two routes was estimated at S■4,0()(l,()^)0 in favor
of the Bay line. What the amendment wants is that the Convention shall appoint
a conniiittee of unprejudiced and impartial men to explore the proposed lines, and
that their decision shall be final. This, lie thought, was a small recpiest, aiul
preferred with all deference to the opinion and will of the Conveniion. lie
would, for iiimself and friends, repudiate the idea of offering any op|)osition to
embarrass the action of the Convention. God forbid that any such motives should
bo imputed to them. Ho and they were ready to unite to pro|)el this great rail-
road of civilization, which, again joining F.ngland and America, would enable
them to defy all the tyrants of the world and all the despots that ever were creat-
ed. (Cheers.)

At 1 o'clock the Convention adjourned, to meet at 2 1-2 P. M.

Afternoo.n.
His Excellency Governor Hunii.4RD in the Chair

Hon. Mr. Chandler, ofN. B., took the lloor. He said that he should confine
hij observations entirely to Mr. Johnson's amendment. Tiie question cf u line of

w

92

r:iiKv:iy fro;ii Main" fn tlii' F.KtiTii rr\:\A nf \ov!i Smtia was nnt a subject of ile-
hatc, fur that irinttcr ho consitlfrfd as already sfitt'.i'd — the line must go on — and
sail, ii would hn ohnnrved, that all ndriiiltcd how di.'sirable it was to have a con-
tinouH land route fioiii naiigor to Halifax, and the only objwlion urged was the
"xpi-ii.-i". The f;rc:it objert of this Railway wa'' to si^cnre to itself the whole trav-
el lietween the Old World and the New ; and failing to securi! that, from any
doiil)t a-i to certainty or speed, the attempt would be a fiilure. The hearts of
the people of .\ew Rruiiswick were with this continuous land route ; and he did
not b'ilieve th(! travelling community of the United Stales would consent to cross
the Bay of Fundy either during the fogs of sunmier, or the ice and snow-storms of
winter.

If we have n(i|liing but inert! cotumorcial advantages to show, lliey would not
be of sullieient importance to enlist legislative aid in behalf of tha scheme. The
great trunk Railroad, designed to unite the Provinces and Canada, wiis an Imperi-
al measure, but private capital could not be secured. No sooner, however, was
the circular calling this (i^onvontion and uiifoldingthis vastand comprehensive plan,
circulated in the Provinces, than, with one consent, a disposition to subscribe
stock to a large amount, — an amount that seemed ain:ost incredible, was mani-
fested. The feeling in favor of the scheme is universal.

With regard to the Bay of Fundy route, he would put it to the sound practical
sense of the Convention if they think this plan a desirable or even a feasible one.
The uncertainties attending it, is a fatal objection. A steamer on the coast, ad-
ver'.ised to sail at a certain day, is looking for the arrival of her passengers, but
fogs or storms detain them in the Bay. Wli>) would run the risk of these uncertain-
ties? No ! the road must be established on an uninterrupted land route, or the
wlioli! scheme will fall to the ground. If tlie amendment of .Mr. Johnston be adopt-
ed, New Bnmswick would despair.

He considered it perfect madness to advocate this route ; and if the amendment
should be carried, the New-Brunswick delegation cnuld hold forth no prospects of
success for this Railway ; they could pledge no aid to it; and he believed it
would create a feeling of dislike in that Province, which might go far toward
crushing the whole undertaking. Mr. Chandler tlien proceeded to answer the ob-
jections raised to the land route, on the score of expense. In Maine, there was
the same extent of Railway to be built, by either route. In Nova-Scotia, there
was not so much railway to be built by the land route ; the dilficulty then was in
the Province of New-Hninswie);. Mr. .Tohiiston had said, that New-Brunswick
would not do its part ; but the d(!legatos from that Province; said, ilwoulddo its
part, and they ought to be the best judges. Mr. Chandler contended that the
diU'ereMce in expense between the two routes winild be very little, when the con-
structing and maintaining four large steamboats, v.ith the net jssary piers, wharves,
landings, and docks, on both sides of the Ray, was taken into account. The gen-
tlemen who were sent there to oppose the continuous land route, represented only
narrow portions of Nova-Scotia, and certain local interests ; a majority of the
Nova-Scotia delegates were opposed to this sectional feeling, and advocated the
continuous land route, on broad and liberal principles. — Mr. Chandler concluded
a very able speech, by saying, he hoped the amendment would be withdrawn, as

93

it would only tend to po-ilpone the work indefinitely, nnd thus le.id to diiTiniliirs
which might be fatal to tlip wholo enterjiriso. (Clipers.)

Dr. Robert IIayari), of St. John, stattnl that Ik; appfari'd na a dclfjtatc
from hi« native Provincn of Nova-Scotia, and he advocatwi the route ncrotw the
Bay of Fundy. He hoped that the time wa.t fa.-it appro.uhiiij; when there should
be no more war, and when cannon would be; converted into railroad barn, be-
coming thus agent.s of [/eace and good will ; for, said he, railsoad.-i are ihe pacif-
cators of nations. With regard to the great plan, he was ready to give his he." ty
concurrence, and a.asured them that those he represented were in behalf of any
line that may he determined upon, be it east or be it west.

He deprecated all sectional feeling ; and whatever route might be eventually
selected, he would wish it a hearty God speed ! .\s to the matter under discus-
sion, it resolved itself into a question of pounds, shillings, and pence — it was
easier to speak millions than to collect millions. He acknowledged the superiority
of the land route ; but where would the cash come from to build it? If they
could get the inoriy, he would go for the land route, with all his heart. He
supported Mr. Johnston's amendment, and did not believe it would retard the
movement ; he wished the routes to be examined by a Committee of disinterested
gentlemen from the United States ; and he was authorized to announce, that hi*,
constituents would not oppose or obstruct the route on which that Connnittee
should finally decide. (Cheers.)

Mr. Poor of Portland, then took the stand and said he hoped the Convention
would pardon him for interrupting for a few moments the course of the debate. —
He was aware of the importance that attached to this question, and hoped there
would be a full discussion of the matter by the gentlemen from both Provinces,
and that the vote on the question would not be pressed. For one he rejoiced that
the question had come up for discussion, and that it had called out so full infor-
mation, and awakenened so much feeling. He had fears that the interest in the
Convention could not be kept for want of matters of controversy and debate. —
T".ie debate had been conducted in such good temper, that he anticipated the
most fiivorable results from the discussion, and the more so as other gentlemen he
was assured, would lay before the Convention additional information, called out
by the proposed amendment.

Mr. Poor said the Convonlion was aware that a delegation from Canada was
present, and had taken an active part in its proceedings. He was sorry to say
that the delegation from Quebec were compelled to leave in the evening train,
nnd he would therefore ask the gentlemen of the Lower Provinces to give way to
allow us to hear from the delegation from Quebec; and called on J. Bkm. For-
syth, Esq., of Quebec to oddress the Convention.

Mr. Forsyth, after thanking the people of Portland for their liberality and
hospitality on the present occasion, said he hoped, that although strangers now,
they would not long ren -in so. He and his colleague, Mr. Angers were inter-
ested in, and of the conmiittee of the Quebec and Melbourne Railway, and as
such, felt the deepest interest in the subject matters of the Convention. They hud
n still greater and higher interest than that, for they saw in it the commencement
of a series of measures that shall bind the whole contuient together. He did not

94

appear to reprfisnnt any neclionKl views, Imt simply to show the deep interr«t
which he nrid hi» friends mid roinpeers felt in tiiis (^re.it undertnl<ing, which is to
unite Kiigliiiid and America in such close ami intimate connection. Itefore three
years should elapse, he expected that the Railway hetwceii Quebec and Portland
would tie completed, and th''n liy the great net-work of Ilailwr.vs in the United
f^tati.'s, tlu!y would soon he connected with all America.

lie had always taken the deepest interest in the Portland and Montreal Rail-
way, lie had always entertained fears that the Halifax and Quebec line was
too great a work to be accomplished in our day. Hence he hud endeavored to
favor a coininunication with the Portland Railroad at Melbourne, a distance of
some i)y miles only from Quebec. lie had just received inforiiiation that the
charter for that' line had been grant(.-d, and they could command the means to
construct the line to Melbourne, under the very liberal law of Canada. (Cheers.)

An idea iiad been thrown out, that the Canadians were dead to public works,
which was not correct; in th<' aid which Canada had granted to public improve-
ments, she had set an example to the Lower Provinces, which they would do
well to follow,

By the law of Canada, the proprietors of every railroad in that Province which
exceeds seventy-five miles in length, are entitled, as a matter of right, to call upon
the Province to contribute one half of the expense of building such railway. —
This very proper and judicious arrangement, Mr. Forsyth said, might well bo
adopted in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as it would be found extremely
beneficial. With the assistance tendered to this line by the city of Quebec and
the government guarantee of one half its cost, he regarded the Quebec and Mel-
bourne Railway as likely to be finished as soon as the Portland and Montreal
line is finished, which is to be done in 1852. (Cheers.)

Mr. Forsyth .said he could not but congratulate himself on his good fortune in
being allowed to take part in this Convention, so novel in its character, so full of
promises for good. We here see the representatives of diflerent govern:nents
sitting side by side in friendly council, and when I look around nie and see the
distinguished men who have come up together to carry forward this great work,
I cannot doubt its succoss. It will cornmund confidence and capitalin London.
(Repeated cheers.)

I feel it a distinguished honor to have been allowed to take part in a conven-
tion of such dignity and importance — a Convention presided over by the Gover-
nor of the Staff?; and we are assured by the Chief Magistrate of the United States
that he would have gladly been present, and that the pressure of otlicial duties
alone prevented it. In concluding a very sensible and business-like speech, Mr.
Forsyth said that, viewing all he heard and saw around him, he would truly say,
"the night is past, joy cometh on the morrow !" (Cheers.)

Mr. Dickey inquired of Mr. Forsyth his opinion as to the comparative desirability
of the two proposed routes.

Mr. Forsyth expressed himself strongly in favor of the land route, and thought
that the prevailing feeling in his section of the country was in favor of that route.

Mr. Johnson inquired whether, if thir route should be found impracticable, the
whole scheme should be abandoned.

95

Mr. Forsyth replied, No — liy no nienni)!

F. R. Ancfrs, Esq., of (lucbtT, II tiifiiihor nf tlip rnnndiiin l)ar, writ rrillcd
u|)oii In nddresH the (.'on vent ion, and iipoli)i;isc<l fur hi.-* inaliiliiy to address theni
in a language of whinli he was not thoroughly niaHter; but hi* remarks were
very fiireihlo and of iiiurh iiiipiirtapce. lie strongly advocated the [iropiwe*!
railway us a great national thoroughfare, in which all Canada, from (iuchee to
Lake Huron, was d(^eply interested. He said that tiuebec and Montreal would
shortly he brought into railway coiiirnunination with the Atlantic at Portland, hy
lines from those cities, which met together and fell into one at Melbourne. Mr.
Angers announced, that as to the proposed railway line from Portland to Halifax,
the CaiKidiaii people felt a deep and growing interest in it, and would give it
their cordial and hearty support.

Mr. .\ngers said he felt deeply grateful in being allowed to connect his name
with a Convention of this extraordinary character. It was an unusual spectacle
to see such an audience, day after day presided over by his Excellency, the (iov-
ernor of the State of Maine, and a. liritish .\dmiral by his side. He felt proud
that he had been permitted to witness it all, and to connect his name with this
great and important measure. (Loud and repcatetl cheering.)

The President then called on J. H. Gkat, Esq , of St. John,
M. M. P, P., whose appearance was greeted with the most ar-
dent cheers. Mr. Gray spoke in substance as follows: —
Vour Excellency and Gentlemen of the Convention —

I cannot enter upon the few vemarks 1 have to make, without adding
my acknowledgements to those of the gentleman, wlio hove preceeded me,
for the courtesy and attention we have received eince comirig to this city. I
would add, however, that while they have ad:nitled the stupendous char-
acter of this work, they have failed to notice the peculiar aptitude of your
countrymen to originate it. If they would but look back at the career of
the United States, during the last few years, they will find that ii is not
simply in undertakings of a commercial character, having pecuniary re»
suits for their object, that the people of the States have been prompt and
zealous — but that they have been, and are equally ready at the calls of
science, or suffering humanity.

When I find that the officers of the American Navy, animated by a de-
sire of acquiring knowledge, and of adding to tlieir country's fame — can
brave the deserts of Syria, triumph over the waters of the Dead Sea, and
plant their country's flni;, where swims no breathing thing — or face
with equal hardihood, the terrors of the Arctic Sea, in search of Sir John
Franklin, — when I find the people of these States coming forward, as it
•ere wilh one spontaneous burst of feelii g, and throwing from the rich
abundance of their wealth, food and comfort into the lap — of afHicted Ire-
land, I say — they may go forth I care not where, amid what Notions,
Empires, Colonies or Kingdoms you please and claim their prcrd position,
" baud nu'.li secundus" [cheers]
Vou orisinste this scheme. Who are tliey who corae forward to aid you in this work .'

96

Look at that map — wlirrc liii* boltl coists of Labrndor and Nova
Scotia roll back the wavft of the Atlantic — follow the sun 88 he rises
above the Kastcin cliffs on his NVcstward cuiiiKr, till he scis beneath the far
waters of Huron and Su(.erior — pause with (hat sun at h a nonnduy height
over still Ontario, and follow his rays till they are lost in the measurelcks
distance uf the North. Look down upon a country rich with every na-
tional advantage, watered by a tlinusand ttreains, pregnant with every cle-
ment of greatness — climate, minerals, forests, soil — equalling in size the
Continent of Europe i peopled by the Anglo Saxon race, nervous, ener-
getic, determined to advance — and tell me what tongue shall dare to limit
its destinies, or deny it " place" amid the Nations of the earth .'

The people uf this country come forward to aid you in the work. In
this noble enterprise we may ask to become the brothers of a race, which
sprung from the same Anoestral Home, hue rivaled its parents' power,
and become that parents' pride. (Tremendous cheering.)

Sir — There was a beautiful idea expressed by the Reverend gentleman
who opened this Convention. He said, thiil the elements of power which
we were now making so subservietit to our use, hiid always existed —
but that Providence gradually unfolded them to our view, as in it-i wisdom
it saw we were adapting them to good purposes. And sure it is, these ele-
ments of power have always existed, 'i'he li;;htnings played when first
the world began ; the motive power existed, when the planets to their sta-
tions rolled. Yet when Franklin first brought lightning down from Heav-
en, who would ha/e foretold that in less than the life of man, thit light-
ning itself W'luld have been chained to our will, and made to bear the
message of our Love or Hate, from tl"^ St Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico .*
As little can we tell, what may be the consequences of the great underta-
king we have met to discuss. We know, judging from what is already
before us, that the time of transit between Great Britain and the United
States will be shnriened by several days — but to what extent, u)'i,iniately
it is impossible to sny.

In the consideration of the question, this Convenion must come calmly
and deliberately to a sound conclusion. They are not the sole adjudicators
upon this point. The capitalists of Lor Ion and New Yorl<, of Liverpool
ond Uojjlon, are to pronounce upon it. .And unless they sustain the con-
clusion to which you come, it is of little consequence what it is. To them
it must be presented as one great stupendous work — sinking intermediate
points, bringing prominently to view the two great termini, London and
New York, and showing that the time between those two places will be
materially shortened by this route — and furtlier that iis a pecuniary in-
vestment it will pay. The immediate quest-on before us is whether Ih s
great object can be attained by n route composed of Steam cominiinication
and Railroad, crossing t!i« Bay of Fundy from St. John to Digby, or 6y a
coniinuuus land route round the head of the Buy. To have a br-^ken com-

97

miinication is at any time n srrioii* olijpction, and it may well be doubted,
whether passengers who come out in iho Steamers, would disembark at
Halifax, if the prospect of another embarkation, and sea voyage were be-
before them, and more particularly of the character described by the eev-
eral gentlemen who have already spoken of the Bay.

I have no desire to malign the water*, which wash the shores of my own
horn-, but it is well kno> ., that the Uay of Fundy has a character abroad,
which would utterly doom the cause, with the capitalists of London and
New York, if a-ssociated with it. Two thousand years ago. it was descri-
bed in languaifo, too accurate to be fur^otten —

"i^tMtio niiilt'lirlii eniinii."
" (luod Lutus niuiidi. nobiilm. mnlusiiuo
Jupitui untul."

Certainty to a business man is as essential as speed. Tlic advocates for
the Bay route, can at the utmost claim for it, but one or two hours advan-
tage, allowing that winds, tides, storms or fogs itfvcr intervene — but with
such elements of opposition, it would be iiuposible to count upon accuracy.
The increased expense of the land route is urged as Mie strongest objection.
It may be questionable whether when you take into consideration, the
expense of building, equipping, and maintaining Steamers and wharves in
a Bay where the tide rises and falls 40 or 50 fuet, and runs like a sluice,
with the disasters tiom fogs and snow sttirms, and the cost of insurance

how far the am junt of the one would exceed the amount of the other

but the question of expense is of secondary importance, when compared
to the advantage gained ; and of none at all, if it can be shown that the
investment 15 a /»ai/in^ o«e. ''he captalists of England, will look not to
the amount, but to the security ; and it is not likely that the men who built
tliJ tubular bridge across the Menai Straits, at an expense of £'2,000,000
sterling, to save twelve miles, will iiesitate at a quarter of that SMm, where
a iiighawy of Nations is concerned.

We must therefore examine this land route as a matter of bu.siness —
will it pay or not ? Of that portion of tli.' route which will jiaas through
New Brunswick, to whicli it is my duty to ask your attention, 1G8 miles
liave been surveyed, laid out, and report<;d upon by an experienced engi-
neer appointed by the government, who has calculated the ex])(:'nsc and
given the estimates for the work along the whole distance, including sta-
tion houses, t&c , the wharves and buildings at f-'chediac terminus on the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, and St. John the terminus on the Bay of Furidy.
At tli'e time that Mr. Wilkinson was engaged in this work, about two years
since, traffic tables wore taken by order of the government, at three difTer-
en, stations, to see whether there was sufficient local traffic to authorise
the undertaking.

By an examination of this report and these traffic tables which f beg to
lay upon the table, we shall be able to form a correct estimate. It should
be remarked that these tables were taken during the three harvesting

98

w

montliR, when llie agrieullural population were otherwise engaged than in
traveling, or in the transportation ol traflic. liy rcferenre to that Keport
it will appear, that by tlie returns fVoui two stations, 70 miles apart, Ham-
mond River, and tlie Uend o( the Petioodiac, the nnnual estimate of travel-
lers by the former was 23,368, by the latter 1:7,700 — Total, 111,008 —
mean amount, 55,534. It should here bo remarked, that this route lies
through a thickly settled farming cjuntry, afl'urding a continuous l-^vol
nearly the whole way, owing to the singular circumstance of two rivers run-
in* in opposite directions ; one emptying into the Head of the Day, the oth-
er into the Saint John. Regarding these numbers, says Mr. Wilkinson,
"as derived from a faithful registration of points upwards of 70 miles apart,
they must nevertheless fall short of the truth by the large number of trav-
ellers entering or clearing the main Road, on either hand before apprunch-
ing those points. One mode of viewing the relation of these statistics to
prospective revenue, is by comparing the same with the statistical returns
of such Railway in actual operation as may afford a fair example of pas-
senger traffic, say of the Western Railroad, in Massachusetts.

"The average yearly number of through passengers on thi) Railway
during the five years from 1842 to 1846 inclusive, was 23,704, and of way
passengers 196,487. Now it is extremely improbable that any considerable
number of the travelers, at either of these points of registration between
Saint John and Schediac were traveling at n greater average distance than
34 J^ miles on the same day. In order therefore fairly to represent the
traffic on the whole distance, at least one intermediate station should have
been registered. This would have fallen on Sussex Vale, the centre of the
best settled portion of the line. A registration at that place would no
doubt have shown a considerable greater number than at Hammond River,
and perhaps less tlian a mean at the' Bend. It will be reasonable to as-
sume that it would not have been less than a mean of the two, or 55,534.
This nnumber may be taken as a third registration, in order to represent
nearly the whole way traffic according to an average experience of five
years on the Western Railwiy thus :

At Hammond River, 23,363,

At Susjex Vale, (mean)
At Bend of Peticodiac,

55,534,
87,700,

Total of way passengers, , . . 166,302.

«' Viewing the amount of way traflic with respect to the extent of conn-
try traversed, it is as compared with that of the Western Railway as fol-
lows : — For the number 106,437 way passengers in a distance of 15G
miles, the proportion for 107 miles is 134,770 — bui by the above compu-
tation, the number who travel within the latter extent without a Railway,
is already 166,002, or 33 per cent greater than on the principal Railway in
Massachusetts. This fact alone is sufficient to remove doubt on the ques-

C(

til

99

lion of pronpeclive rpvpn<ie. It shows tlial llie liinc for the eslahlishinent
of a Railway on this line of country is not yet to come, hut thiit it has long
since arrived."

The following table based upon that Report, and llie TrafHc Table, re-
ferred to, will give an idea of the results from tim present existing stale of
facts, and show a clear surplus after paying working expensen and five
per cent, interest on the capital invested, nniiiely ;

Towards St. John —
55,534 passengers, at 20:«., ($4.) (or 108 mile.s, . . £.",5,53.1 0 0
J57ij horned Cattle at '2d. per mile,

]08 miles, at 18s.

IGO Tons of Hay, at I Ms.
624 Tons Baggage, at 18s.
t>0,U0O Bushels of Pot toes, at 40
bushels to the Ton, 500 Tons
at 183

2,000 Bushels of Grain, at at 37
bushels to the Ton, 56 Tons
at 188

4,636 Hogs anp Sheep, at Is. lOd.
108 miles, . . . •

Outward Freight of Flour, Gro-
ceries, &c., to the interior,
equal to ... .

Off 40 per cent, for working ex-
penses, &c., . . . .

Interest on £540,000, at 5 per
cent — being 108 miles, at
£5000 per mile,

£1414
144
561

9 0
7 0

450 0 0

£3045 3 4.

£3045 3 4

£24 400

£27,000

£6,000 6 8

£61624 6 3.

£51,400 0 0

Clear surplus, . . . . • £10,224 6 8.

These calculations show, that without counting upon the Government
contract for carrying the Mails, or any increase of business, that that por-
tion of the line would be a remunerative investment.

Mr. Dickey, one of the delegates from Cumberland, has tables and sta-
tistics to show similar results for the line through Nova Scotia and

there can be no doubt, judging from the experience of the existing
lines in the United States, that that portion in your own country will pay.

The next point to which attention should be called, is the saving with
regard to time. And the question arises — will any, and what saving of

It
II

3
4

30

30
II

100

ti me be gained by the proposed European and Nortli-Anirricon Railway
over the present route from London to Now York.

An examination of the following Table will afford convincing proof.

Days. h. m.
From London to Holyhead 263 milen, at 35 milea

per hour, average speed ot cxpreaa trains inclu-
ding stoppages, ....
ilolyhead to Dublin G3 miles, at 18 miles per

hour, the present speed of the Channel Boat?,
Dublin to Galway, ViO miles at 30 miles per hour,
Galway to Halifax, 2165 miles, at IG i miles per
hour, the Cunard Boats having attained ]5|^

and with less weight of coals, will increase their

speed, ......

Halifax to Boundary between New Brunswick and

Nova Scotia, 1^0 miles, at 30 miles per hour,
Through New Brunswick via. St. John to Calais,

in iViaine, 210 miles, at 30 miles per hour.
From Calais to Waterville, 155 miles, at 30 miles

per hour, .....

Waterville to New York, (line in actual operation)

41U miles, at 30 miles per hour.

11 15

10

13 40

7

8

5

(1

4

7

12

5

Total running time,
Add 4 hours for delays, trans-shipments, &c..

Whole time between London and New York,

Thus shortening the time by at least four days, or four days and a half.
(Cheersj Such nre the practical views, in which this great subject may be
regarded ; but if we look at it in the light designated by the 4th Resolu-
tion laid before this Convention, it assumes an importance which language
is powerless to convey. It is no local matter — the Highway of the World
from St. I'jjters'jurgli to San Francisco. It must ever be without a com-
petitoi, because its Geographical position, ensures it precedence. It trav-
erses Empires, Kingdoms, Colonies and States, for the benefit of all.
Connected with the systems of Europe and America, its arms embrace the
civilized world ; the ties of brotherhood are fostered by its means ; the hu-
manities of life extend —generous impulses are imparted, — National dif-
ferences are forgotten, and this European and North American Railway
will link the Eastern and Western Worlds together, — one greatCommon-
weallh of Nations — [Tremendous cheering]

Sir, — I cannot, like the Honorable gentleman who proceeded ine, claim
any local lineage to invest my arguments with favor in your eyes, I am of
an Epglish family, and I would not for the applause of your whole coun-

101

try, admit aii;jlil in derogniion of iiijr own — (cheering) 1 con only proient
thii tniiltcr before you, in .i plain liilsincs* point of view, one tlut will ro-
suit in incalciil.'iblo benefits to botli ri>uiitrie«, ami to expref>!< llie ardi'nl
desire of the I'rovinct- to wliicli I belon^j, to cu-opiT.iU.- in llie great work

Mr. Gray sat down arr.id the most ciuliusiusfii- ilcmoiistrations of
applause.

Mn. Frazif.r, of Windsor rose to explain his position. lie was in fivor of
the iiineiulniunt, because he eouKl salisf ictorily see how tlie means eouki be (il>-
tained to construct the I Iiilifux and Windsor line, lie was free to sii) that if
the lund could be made, then by all means make it. (Cheers.) For one hemivv
dilHculties in (he way, in the ruisin<r of the amount necessary for the land route;
while ho could assure the (.'onveiition that forty-live miles of the Windsor line
had to be built, whether or no. Tiie Letjisiuture had pletlged itself to take one
half the stock.

If the laud route, however, is to be adopted, he was willing to go in for that. —
This, he begged, might be borne in mind. But it was easier to vote a road built
than to build it. It was easier to resolve that tht; means could be furnished than
to obtain thnm. For one he was willing to take the ne.\t best thing to be had, il
we could not have all \v(! wish.

R. B. Dickey, Esq., of Amherst, Nova Scotia, next took the
stand.

Mr. D. said that while he entertained the most profound respect forhisdi-iingiiish-
ed colleagues from Nova Scotia, who dillered from him in reg.ird to the (piestion
of route, he felt it due to the position he occupied, to say, that though thure was a
want of unanimity among the delegation from Nova Scotia, a majority were in
favor of the land route. Mr. Dickey said that he saw no good reason for the ap-
pointment of the committee, as proposed by the amendment. There are no
facts that such a connnittec could obtain, that are not substantially already before
the Convention. We have the surveys, plans and estimates of the AV'ind.sor and
Halifax line; and all admit the feasibility of that scheme as fur us any i]uestion
of its cost or of its business are concerned. We have too, the surveys, the plans
and estimates of the route, from Halifax round the head of the Hay. Nova Sco-
tia had less railroad to build by going round the bay thtm by adopting the propos-
ed line to Digby. From Halifax to the line of New Brunswick through Amherst,
was 120 miles; from Halifax to Digby the distance was 140 miles.

The difference in distance between the two lines between St. John and Halifax
is trifling, if we look at the time to be occupied in pussuig over them. Allowing
the most favorable circumstances for water navigation, and the increased speed
of the railway train over the steamer, and this difference was only equal to 18
miles in favor of the Digby route. The case had only to be stated to be mad«!
to his own mind at least, entirely conclusive in favor of the land route. lie was
therefore opposed to the amendment of Mr. Johnston. A majority of the Nova
Scotia delegates were wholly opposed to crossing the Bay of Fundy, and their
differences with their colleagues on that point were irreconcilable.

It'

102

Ik-

Mr. Dickt-y Miiid hr llwuj{ht tho dt^logiition frmn Sow KruiiNwink wpro betitT
jiitlgcM ill this iii:itt«r than any ono from Nova .Sroiia could he. Now all admit,
that ui* far an iiii'.iiH arc (loripcrmMl, \vi! in Nnva Si-otia xhoiild favor the nhort
liiu! fur UH to huild, if Niw UriiiiMwick will do her part. In thix the lion, gentle-
man who moved the amondmi'Ml and myself arc agreed. "If you ran rniM! the
iiicain in .New BriniHwicU," Hays Mr. Johnston, "then I cordially go with you
that the I'-aslcrn line shall he and onglit to he tin- route."

From the moinetrt this line enters th(' I'rovinrc of Nova Hrotia, it jWHseH over
a eoMMtry nliotindiii:; in mineral wealtli, iron, coal, gypsum and lime, and the
eountics of Cnmhcrlund, ('olrhesttr and Halifax, are ei|uiilly |H)(iu1ous and fer-
tile with ihosi' of .\nnapolis. Kings, and Hauls countiet), which lie on the Annap-
olis and Dighy route.

Mr. Dickey presented a large amount of statistical iriformntion, showing the
travel which the land route would command, and he pointed out its general ad-
vantages, and superiority over tho other route. (A portion of thi:9 information is
giv(,'n on pages 43 to -48, and this portion of .Mr. Dickey's remarks are omitted.)

After speaking of the influence aial vulu(( of Railways, Mr. Dickey closed his
remarks hy referring to the fraternal iidluence which this enterpriso was calculat-
•h] to exert njion the two nations engaged in its construction. A common lan-
guiige was in fact the strongest hond of hrotherhood and of peace. No one could
know, or realise the magic influence of thi.4 fact, unless they had been sepuruted
from those wlio speak our mother tongue. lie remembered once when travelling
ill France, stopping at a quiet village hotel in the interior, be felt a loneliness
which could not be described, while surrounded by those who could not pro-
nounce one word of tiie r,!igli.?h tongue. When at lust he heard tho voice of a
stranger utter a ningle word in hi.s native language, it thrilk^d his heart like a strain
in music, and when he respondyd in a similar tongue, they rushed to each other,
by an involuntary impulse, in fraternal embrace. (Cheers.)

The sentiment of the people of both nations is one of fraternity and good feel-
ing. This Convention was a natural expression of that feeling. For himself he
felt the same interest in tho afiairs of Maine us a neighbor State that he did in
those of a sister Province, and he rejoiced at the prospect of a closer and more
fraternal union.

Mr. Dickey sat down amid the most ardent cheering.

Hon. J. E Fairbanks, of Halif-ix, was the ne.\t speaker, and continued the
discussion upon tlic matters embraced in Ho... Mr. Johnston's amendment. He
said he made no pretensions as a speaker ; he was entirely unused to public
speaking; but on such an occasion as this, he could not withhold the expression of
his views. There would be four dollars subscribed for the continuous land route,
to one for the other. He came from Halifax as a delegate to advocate, by his
presence and vote in the Convention, a continuous and uninterrupted land route,
from the eastern shore of Nova Scotia to the frontier of Maine. He differed from
his friends, Messrs. Johnston and Frazier, with the greatest reluctance. The
Bay of Fundy line is not to be thonght of for an instant, because it would be
impossible to enlist the influence of capitalists in its favor. The project of the
Portland Circular has been noticed in England. Influential men there regard it

103

with ( nthu!<m4in. It lit thn grunt riiilway niovuninnt nfilit- ,'ig<>. ('a|iilalii«t!i llM>ri>
Br« cniifidiuit of HUPr«>*»i; nnil tht-y only wiiit for un to arraiigo tin; inovciiient b«-
fori* lu'lpiiiK U!* willi tlii'ir iiitliii'iiri- anil tlicir ca-ili.

JoHKHH H. N. Kkkk, l>(|.,of Wulluri'.iu'Xf ..>ok lln' tloor. lie tlioii<{lit thfre
was no ()cru!<ion for such n f'oinniitt«'o a* rontuinpi'ittnl by Mr. Johnston. No
doiilil, it.uvj.s possibli- to rriN4 the May ofl'iindy; lint nil adinittt'il that llit> lam!
routi! wart tint litst, Hiniply <'onriniri)r lliciiHi'lvc* to denying that mean-* ronid hw
found lo liiiild it. Ili- had no donht nliont it; and, a>i nni- of the .Nova Hrotin
delegalt'H, \ut gave liw hearty nupporl to the railway Ay hiinL

Mr. Kerr said he \\i\n ho lirrnly persuaded of the feasihilily and profit of the
proposed line, hu exprcssec^ his willingness to lake stock enough iti it lo liiiild
one mile of the rond. (Trernendoui* cheers.) Reasoning on the subject of
the profit.s which may be reasonably anticipated, is as follows: —

.As the Railroad is a nv.tter of pounds, shillings and pcMice, and as the f'unard
line M said to be coining money, let us examine the passsenger trade of that line,
and compare it with ihut of a line of steamers between the ports of \\'liit<'liaveii
and (lalway, on the west coast of Ireland. Cunard carries to and I'roiii F.iiro|ie,
an average of seventy pasxengers u trip; the revenue from which may he stated
m follows: —

From the I'nited States to Europe, first class passengers, CO, at X.2')

each, X 1,500

Second class, in steerage, 10, at £17 10s., 175

Passage money from Europe— flO in cabin, at X35,
10 in steerage, at X20,

X1,(J75

t;2,ioo

200

12,300

Making the average each way, Xl,!)87 stlg., or about $9,800. C'unurd's ves-
sels cross in from 11 to 14 days; while upon the route proposed by the advocates
of the European and North American Railway, the same vessel could cross from
land to land in six days; and passengers from New York could reach London in
seven days, r.nd Paris in eight days. V/ith some alteration, increasing their
number of berths, these vessels, or new ones less expensively titled up, possessing
all the power and speed of the former, will bo able to hr'iig safely and comfort-
ably, in six days at the most, one thousand pi.ssengers; which, at X4 each, or
S16, will yield a revenue of $16,000 every trip. Dut suppose she takes but 500
passengers a trip, a* X8, the amount of receipts would be the same.

At these low rates, Mr. Kerr said he was tirnily convinced the steainshipB
could realize large profits. The Railway from Whitehaven to Boston, could
carry passengers, with a p'jfit, for XIO. The proposed line, obviates the
most ditticult and dangerous point of navigation in the voyage from I'.urope to the
United States. It is the shortest and most direct route. It is the cpiickest. No
other can supersede or compete with it; and above all, it can be made by fur
the cheapest in every point of view. For these reasons, he considers that the
line once established, will be the great line of travel between Europe and the U.

104

Stutos. Thf liiindrfils of tliousiinds who yc.-irly r'liiigrntc to this country, will
come by this route and no other, becnuite it will h<: the chenpesf iis well as the
Hiifest. Troiii the low prire of fare, rich nn well as po can avail themselves of
tliis great line of interconimunication between the old world and the new.

Mr. Kerr was in favor, tlierefore, of the coittiituou.i land route, us well as the
shortest ])raelical)le line. ^Cheers.)

Hon. .Mu. Pryor, Mayor of Halifax, wi's the next speaker. Mr. I'ryor said
allusion had been made to the interest which the corporation of that city had
manifested in the Halifax and Windsor road. He, Mr. P., felt it his duty to state
the actual condition of alfairs in that city in relation to railroads. A resolution
did pass the Councils of Halifax empowering tiie govcrinnent to raise !?-l()0,()()0,
to be invest ■! in that corporation. Shortly after this resolution had passed, the
Portland circular was received, unfolding the nobh; and magnificent scheme of a
continuous railroad route from the farthest Eastern border of Nova Scotia to con-
nect with the whole United States. Without hsu of time this vast and beneficent
project was brought before the citizens, who, at a large public meeting took im-
mediate action ujion it and chose delegates to meet thi; Convention here. At that
meeting I stated what 1 repeat here. There can be no route established, with
any hope of profit, but a continuous one,-. The meeting was of one mind. Our
citizens expressed their willingness to subscribe stock and otherwise aid the
project by every means in their power.

This Convention is in every respect a novel one, containing as it does, among
its members, high official men of diflerent and foreign governments assembled to
work out and j)lan for closer alliances, and we cannot too much admire li;e spirit
with which this call has been responded to. Our object is to bind the world to
j)eac(! and brotherhood in one iron arm ; may it never be broken usuni'e"".

Mr. Pryor said in connection with these remarks he desired to lay belbre the
Convention u paper showing some statistics of the trade and business of the city
of Halifax. The city of Halifax, he said, contained about 24,000 inhab-
itants; the assessed value of real estate was £ 1,013, 2-'30, aid of personal estate
£1,944,683. i;3,.557,983, equal in dollars to 13,714,732.

105

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108

Mr, Pryor'g remarks were warmly ai-plaudcd; and there was
a general call for the question upon Mr Johnstons amendment.
Mr. Poor, of Portland, proposed that the question shouh! not he
taken this evening, as it was nearly six o'clock. Mr. Hall, of
Nova Scotia, seconded the views of Mr. Poor. Hon. Mr. Wil-
mot was anxious to come to a vote this evening, for some of
the delegation must leave to-night.

Hon. Mr. Johnston, the mover of the amendment, was in favor
of taking the vote this evening, as he was among the number
who were compelled to leave this evening. Several gentlemen
said they would prefer to have the matter lay over till the morn-
ing, if that was the choice of the delegation from Nova Scotia
and New Brunswick.

AAer further consultation, it was unanimously agreed to take
tlie vote upon the qnestion of Mr Johnston's substitute for the
5th Resolution; and the vote was taken by rising, and the mo-
tion was lost. Messis. Johnston, Hall, Frazicr, Dr. Bayard,
F. VV. Pickman, Esq., of Annapolis Royal, and John Neal,
Esq., of Portland, were noticed as rising to the affirmative.
When the noes were called, there was an overwhelming vote.

On motion of Mr. VVilinot, the 5th Resolution was then adopt-
ed by an unanimous vote; the whole of the vast assembly rising
in support of the motion, and no one ri?ing in opposition.

A motion was made to adopt the 6th Resolution; and there
were cries for an adjournment from various parts of the hall;
and various propositions were made — some to adopt the remain-
ing resolutions in a body.

Mr. Gray, of St. John, said that the discussion of the 5th
Resolution and the proposed amendment had consumed so much
time, that no opportunity had been offered for other parties to
speak than the delegates from the Lower Provinces; and he
thought courte-sy required that an adjournment till to-morrow
should be agreed to.

Mr. Perley, of St. John, concurred in the views of Mr. Gray.

Mr. Poor, of Portland, said that he was happy to be able to
announce the arrival of General Dearborn, of Poxbury, who
was now in attendance; and that other gentlemen were in at-
tendance, from various parts of the country, from whom remarks

100

might be expected, and hoped the Convention would adjourn
over till to-morrow.

Gen. Dearborn rose and said, —

TImt ho would prefer lliut the Conveiitioii should jtroreed and •uiisii its hu/\-
ness, without any reference to hininelf. That he had been so fortunate, as to
hear a portion of the speeches this afternoon; and regretted, e>:treni(^ly, that
ofticial duties alone prevented his attendance upon all the delil)erations of the
Convention. The plan itself was grand — yoa, sublime: the route itself of entire
practicability; and if the spirit of this meeting is at all a representation of the
feeling of the people of Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, it will be
speedily accomplished.

Gen Dearbon's appearance and remarks were greet with
enthusiastic cheers; and the Convention adjourned till to-mor-
row mornning, at 9 o'clock.

FRIDAY. AUGUST 2, 1850.

[third DAT.]

The Convention was called to order at 9 o'clock. Hon. Mr.
Pryor, Mayor of Halifax, in the chair. His Excellency, the
Governor, being necessarily absent for the remainder of the
se.ssion.

John Neal, Esq., of Portland, moved that the thanks of the
Convention are due to the Hon. jon.v Hubbaud, Governor of
Maine, for the impartial and dignified manner in which he has
presided over its deliberations; and also for the personal and of-
ficial interest he has manifested in behalf of the great object of
the Convention.

This motion was seconded by the Attorney General, Wilmot,
in behalf of the whole New Brunswick and Nova Scotia delega-
tions, and with hearty cheers was unatiimously adopted.

The floor was soon after taken by Gen. Dearborx, who was
received with much applause, and at once commenced his ad-
dress. He spoke in substance as follows: —

Gentlemen of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, or from whatever British
Province you may have come, and from whatever country beyond our borders,
and citizens of the United States, I feel deeply the compliment which you have
paid to me, in adjourning this Convention for the purpose of hearing my remarks;
but I fear that you will all be disappointed in your expectations. I feel utterly

no

uiirilili! to orcupy so large :i spacR ns is opt'iicd by tlii' Rcsululioii iM-fori' us — a
Jk'solution to ('stablish a liigliway tliat i- In ticcoiiic tlio cnmii-ptiiig link, and thfi
grciit tlj(imii;'lirirc, Ix'twccii Iwd rcntiin'iiN, to do it well, to do it Hpccdily. 1
fci'l satisfied thiit i» f«'i he done; I feel siiti^^lied that it i/'i'// //f ^/f>;/c— ami that,
old as I uin, I may yet pass over it; that, if tin- Lord spares my life for five
vears, I may go to St. John, to Halifax, to Ireiami, to London; and erossing
from Dover to Calais, I may go from thence hy Kailway to the furthest extremity
of Kurope. (Cheers.) This may, hy some, lie deemed e.vtravagant; hut already
the neressary steps have heen tal.cn for theconslrunlion of a railway from Calcut-
ta to I?oiid)ay, The route from Calais to the Uosphnrus may he considered us
retain, wilhiii a less nuiid)er of years than 1 have indicated. Nor shall this high-
way of nations stop there; for I helieve that some Stephenson ina\ yet arise, to
throw an iron arch across the Strait h('tvveen Lurope and Asia; and that a visit to
the Kuphrales may be, to the traveller, but an ordinary excursion. (Cheers.)

It is but twenty-live years since I proposed that a railroad should be con-
structed from l*>oston to the Hudson; and that a tunnel would be made through
the IJoosic Mountain; for this, I was termed an iJiot! An idiot I may be; but
the road is made, and the tunnel through the Hoosic Mountain is in course of
construction. (Cheers.) Formerly, scientific men dealt in abstract theories;
now, we tlnd the woiKtncn themselves entering into the halls of science, illus-
trating theory hy practice, and teaching knowledge to the world. The time was,
when weaving was a mystery; dyeing was one of the occult sciences; and even
the manufacture of soap depended upon good luck for a favorable result. But,
by the help of ])ractical science, all these matters are now reduced to a certainty.

(jientlemeu — I feel satisfied that this railway must be constructed. It is true,
there are not wanting those who doubt of its success. But let not this deter you.
There are not wanting those who will doubt that the sun shines at mid-day, un-
less they can see it for themselves.

Gentlemen — If all do not comprehend the importance, the practicability, and
the profit of this great project, there are enough who do comprehend, to carry the
measure to a successful termination. It was forty years after the discovery, by
Newton, of the theory of gravitation, before it could be comprehended; now, it
is practically understood by every school boy. It is but twenty years since the
British nation sustained the loss of their statesman, Huskisson, struck down
hy a car in England, in the first passenger train that passed over its iron rails;
hut now, railways have become the ordinary means of traffic and transportation.
We dare even to propose a line to the Pacific; and it is as certain that that line
will be constructed, as that the line now in conteinplat'on will extend to the At-
lantic shore of Nova Scotia. (Cheers.)

I well remember when the construction of a railway, three miles in length —
from a granite quarry in tiuincy to Boston hay — was projected; it was esteemed
a wonderful undertaking, and looked upon as wild and chimerical. Now, there
are over 7000 miles of railroad in the country. These, connecting with the pres-
ent vast projects, will almost entirely encircle the world. And these plans will
he accomplished, pither with the aid of governments or in spite of them, for it is
not in their power to stop them.

ill

All history and nil pxpprience hIiow tliiit iJio iiePfri^ilic* of roiiiTiiprrc .'t'ck out
the iiPiircst and rthnrtest routes for travel and husiucsH. Culais and Dover have
been the points of einiiarkation, ever pincc the invasion of Cn^sar; and for no
other reason, hut l)ecause they were the nearest points lietween the Island of
(ireat liritain and the Continent of l^urope. Cape tSiuiiuni was the point of eon-
centration for the trade of (ireece, simply iieeause it was tiie nearest point to
Egypt.

Wliy was the Appian Way extended from Capua to Urinidnsiinii, on the Ad-
riatic (iulf? 15e(-aus;! that was the nearest good harhor near the narrowest j)iace
in the Adriatic Sea, in the most direct line Iroin Rome to Constantinople.

Why was the suspension hridge of Telford extended arross the Menai Strait,
to the Island of Anglesey; and the still more wonderlul woric of modern times —
the Brittania Hridge across the same Sirait.' Uecause it was iu the most direct
line from London to Dublin and Ireland.

If you will examine the map of the world, you will find that in all time past,
the points of continents or islands which approach the nearest, have biMiome the
highways of their intercourse and commerce. It is for this reason that I believe
that the highway for the trade and communication hetween this country and
Europe must be made to the eastern coast of Nova-Scotia. ((Cheers.)

We read in ancient history, that Cato once produced before the Roman Senate
a bunch of fresh figs, taken from a tree in Carthage only four days before ; and I
shall see the time when the Rose of England, blending the colors of Vork and
Lancaster, and plucked from the garden of W^indsor, shall be twiiujd freshly ia
America with the beautiful prairie flower "the Ciueen of the West" and, bound
together with the Lilies of Canada, shall compose a fragent wreath, wherewith to
crown the Statue of Concord in ilie Temple of Peace ! (Tremendous applause.)

Look at the map of America and see who will be benefited by the completion
of this undertaking.' — all of us — from the country bordering on the waters of the
St. Lawrence and on the Lakes of Canada, to tiie feitile valleys of the Mi.ssisipjii
and its tributary streams. There are no less than fifteen States of this Union di-
rectly interested in the line, and there are milli' ns upon this territory who will be
rejoiced at the prospect opened before them. I'ifteen years ago, there was one
small schooner for passengers on Lake Erie belonging to the Americans — now the
country is intersected by railways, and thi! Lakes are covered with steamers^
Then we were more widely separated from the inhabitants on the borders of these
Lakes than we are now from llindostan. (Cheers.)

But not only will the world be benefited by the productions of these fertile dis-
stricts being widely distributed but by freedom of intercourse asperities and mis-
understandings between great nations will be softened and removed, ami at -dl
events a firm and lasting friendship will be produced between two great nations,
speaking the same language, and advocating the same principles of civil and re-
ligious liberty ; proud am I that the bones of my ancestors lie buried within the
shadow of the Cathedral of Exeter ; and there is not one worthy descendant of
the heroes of Runny mede, wherever he may dwell, that I do not look upon as a
brother. (Prolonged cheers.)

112

Thi) (loHtiiiy of tlif Anjjio Saxons has but coniinenced, and more has been dotift
by thoiii for th(! world, for tlio noriinioii cause of huriianily, sinen my lioyliood,
than during all tiiiii; priicot'ding. Man is learning to iniitat(; hi.-i Maker, and to do
good unto all ; there i» no time for vice ; occupation of the body and the mind
j« necessary for tli(! ag.; in which wo live. Could the coniniorce and industry of
England have been fostered and protected but for the honesty and integrity of
her Statesmen ? She has taught the nations that right and justice must be done,
and where ever, at homo or abroad, the flags of Knglandand America float upon
the breeze, there her subjcK.'ts and our citizens, and all speaking our common
langauge, are protected from insult and from wrong. (Cheers.)

To project and to execute works of the descrijition of this, which we are now
considering, are among the greatest of public achievements. Our ablest States-
men have always considered the construction of roads as the means of dillusing
knowledge and of increasing the comfort, wealth, and happiness of our country.
No sooner was peace declared than Oeorge Washington devoted his time, talents
and industry to the subject, (iailatin, and otii ^r able Statesmen, have expressed
the same principles and acted upon them ; and in more recent times compuuiet)
of wealthy and energetic men have carried out the plans which Washington and
(jiallathi so ably designed and projected. (Cheers.)

I was on the spot where the city of rJuflalo now stands, when it was a mere
village; and twenty-five years ago it was an inconsiderable town of about ,5,000
inhabitants. It Is now a city numbering 50,000 people. When De Witt Clin-
ton first opened his great canal to Butlalo, that was almost the extent to which
travellers could go west; and the trade was of scarcely any moment, except in
furs and in the productions of the forest. Now, it is on the way to the granary
of the earth; and the trade which reaches the Erie Canal, from beyond it, is far
greater than all it receives this side of Uuiralo. A few years ago, standing on one
oftheFiors at Bufliilo, and looking out upon the vessels that moved upon the
Lake, and looking back upon the city, spreading itself upon the shore behind me,
I felt something of a patriotic sentiment arising within me, when I thought how
iinich was due to his memory. I thought if I could have my way, a collossal
statute of Clinton should be raised upon the pier that projects farthest into the
Lake, — in the left hand holding a scroll pointing down the line of the Erie Canal
— the right hand pointing westward to the Pacific shores. (Tremendous cheers.)

The project we are now considering is one of equal importance and the accom-
plishment of which will confer equal honor upon its authors. V^ast as the en-
terprize is, it can still be accomplished.

We nuist prove that this work can be done, — that it will, be usekul, —
that it WILL BE PROFITABLE ; and if this can be done, we need not fear that
the means will be wanting.

The public mind is already in a great measure prepared for the proper appre-
ciation of a scheme of this international character. If twenty-five years ago, a
British Statesmjm had risen in his place in Parliament, and proposed to throw v"
iron bridge across the Menai Stniit, at a cost of two millions, I have no doubt tliat
some benevolent physician would have been ready with a certifcate of lunacy,
and that the gentleman who should be so rash and credulous as to propose thi.?.

113

and to believe in the possibility of its iirf.otiiplishinont, wotiiil have been promptly
provided for in an hospitiil for th«! insane ! Now we have dared to propose far
mightier projects — we would lay the iron rail across the broad continent of Aiiierica,
and would stand upon the shores of the Pacific ! But think you we shall only
stand upon its shores? No ; we must build ships and cross the waters to the far
distant shores of China, and shall carry the productions of that country back to uh
and to you, at its antipodes. (Cheers.)

Gentlemen, I am proud to see among us a gentleman of the naval service of
Great Britain* — one who has earneil a higher reputation than that which follows
upon victory. Some fifteen years since, n work was put into my hand by a friend —
A Survey of the Coast of Africa and the Persian Gulf, by a British Naval Officer
— it was n scientific and pacific labour ; but the service was one of difficulty and
danger, far more appalling than the battles of the Nile or of Trafalgar. Sickness
and death came upon their expeditition, recruits were obtained from England, but
man after man fell victims to the fatal disease, until, at the close of the expedition,
he alone of all that first went out upon it, he, of officers and men, was the sole
survivor! I thought, if I were Sovereign of Englantl, I would make him an
Admiral of the White, under the Banner of Peace ! This duty was nobly done,
and many other duties has he since done for his country, and yet, although time
has impaired his strength and frosted his venerable head, you see, gentlemen, tha
he cannot remain, but has left his home, in the British Provinces, and is here
amongst us, ready at the call of his country and of the world, in the front rank of
this our enterprise. (Tremendous cheers.)

The speaker closed his remarks, of which the reporter has
given but the faintest outline, with a beautiful sentiment of frater-
nal afTectiou towards the delegates from the Provinces; and
concluded by expressing the prayer, that God would give them
glory, peace, riches, and happiness.

Upon the conclusion of the speech, Mr. Wilmot sprang to his
feet, and proposed three cheers for Gen. Dearborn, which were
given with the most hearty enthusiasm. The speech was a most
beautiful and eloquent production; and so pleased with it were
the delegation from New Brunswick, that they called upon Gen.
D. in a body, to express to him their admiration.

Three hearty and generous cheers were proposed and given
to Rear Admiral Owen.

Admiral Owen was here called for; but declined speaking,
on account of the difficulty he had of enunciation: his heart,
however, was warmly interested in the enterprize,

M. H. Pbrley, Esq., of St. John, was then called upon.

Mr. Perley said that he felt embarraesed in rising to address the Conven-

*Tlie Admiral the Houor&ble Wm. Fitzwilliam Owen.
15

114

tion, iiflcr hiicIi an outpouring of ploquriicc a» hatl nillun froiii tlm lust fpenknr.
He found hiniHelf ho iiiovuil — ho carriiul luviiy with (ien. DeurhornV upccch —
tliut iu! had nut had time to recover hirnitelf, tto as to do justice to hi« own feeble
jM)wer« of speech.

The allusion to Admiral Owen, anil various other topics referred to, hud touch-
ed in him, ns well as in older men, the *< fountain of tears;" and he could never
Huiiiciently thank (Jen. I), for the pleasure which liii speech had afforded.

Mr. Periey then pointed out, upon the great map suspended in the roar of the
President's chair, all the various localities referred to during the progress of the
Convention, and showed the routes surveyed for the lines from St. John to Hali-
fax; and the various lines surveyed for the Quebec and Halifax Railway, ex-
tending from Whitehaven to Ciuebec and Montreal.

He then^pointed out the peculiar localities of New Brunswick, in reference to
its agricultural resources, its mineral treasures, and the products of the forest.

New Brunswick has an extent of between 26,000 and 26,000 square miles.
Its population is estimated at 210,000. It contains about 18,000,000 of acres of
land; or a territory of very nearly the same extent as Ireland. Of this land, a
very large portion of it is of the most productive character, and capable of sus-
taining as dense a population as any portion of the \ orld.

Of this 18,000,000 of acres, about 6,000,000 of it had baen granted; leaving
12,000,000 of acres at the disposal of the Government. These 12,000,000 acres
are UDgranted, unfettered, free of debt or mortgage, and are ready to be made
available in carrying forward the great plan contemplated by this Convention.
Of the granted lands, only 600,000 acres, or one-thirtysevei.th part of the whole
territory, are under cultivation. Agriculture, he admittetl, was very !)ackward in
that Province; but it possessed resources of great extent, abounding, as it does,
in the most valuable timber trees, which flourish there in great perfection.

Mr. Periey then gave some statistics of the trade of the Province. The city of
St. John contains about 35,000 inhabitants.

The Imports into St. John, in 1848, were £588.422 sterling.
«« Exports from " " " X588.466

The Imports, in 1848, into St. Andr wn and its out bays were £ 10.986 stig.
The FAports, in 1848, " " " . 00.733 "

Total for 1848— Imports, £629.408 sterling.
Exports, £639.199 '•
The tonnage arruing in all the Ports of the Province in 1848.
Vessels Tons.

3,034 467,393

The outwanl Tonnage in 1848.

2,978 463.309

Vessels built in New Brunswick, iu 1847.

No.
115

No.
86

Tonnage.
53,372

Vessels built in 1848.

Tonnage.
22,793

115

Mr. IV-rlcy pronceded to givu soiiin statwtic* of the Fwhurip* of tln' (Julf of rit.
Ijiwrence. These weru the lllo^t valuiible Fishorii-H in the world. Thoy are
now carried on ptiiui|)ally hj citizeii.s of France and the I'nited States. From
seven hundred to uight hundred i^ail of American fit>hiiig vei>!ieli4 enter the (juif of
Ht. Lawrence annually.

A railway from rfhediac to the port of rft. Joiui, which in open all seasons of
the year, would enahle the various products of the fwherie:* to reach a port of
shipment in four huuro; and the ner«'s.sity for the long voyage around Nova Sco-
tia to he avoided.

But adopting the proposed line, we put ourselves in coniiiiunication with the
extensive fishing interest, on the gulf of St. Lawrence, with which American nav-
igation is so largely connected. The gut of C'aiiso, opening into the gulf, is hut
Haifa mile wide, and to show the extent of America fisheiies there, he remarked
that more than 2000 sail of .\mericnn fishing vessels paid light house duties at the
gnt last season. When this railroad is constructed vessels could winter there, and
thus save the voyage to and from port, which materially detracts from the profits
of the voyage, while the vessels would be upon the ground early, a circumstance
having the most important bearing on the success and profits of the fishing trade.

The fresh salmon, packed in ice, now sent from St. John to Boston by the
steamers, by means of a railway could be sent in prime condition, in one day's
time, to New York and the principal cities of the United States.

Mr. Ferley gave a large amount of additional statistical in-
formation, and his remarks were listened to with the most care-
ful attention and received with hearty cheers.

Hon, Charles Fisher of Fredericton, a member of the
Executive Council of New Brunswick, was the next speaker

called out.

Mr. FsHER gave his views as to the feasibility of the undertaking, and like-
wise as to the effect it would have m binding in closer alTinity the two countries^
He knew the growing interest that was felt by each in the other's institutions and
welfare — referred to the anxiety evinced in New York, some two years ago,
when, amidst the overturn and commotion that was going on in the governments
of the old world, fears were entertained for the stability of the British Govern-
ment. Stocks fell in Wall-street, — all was gloom — but when the arrival of the
steamer made known that the predicted outbreak of the 10th of April had
proved impotent, so far us the government was concerned, how that gloom was
turned to congratulations and rejoicings. This had come under his own obser-
vation He spoke of the institutions of both countries as having had their rise
in the institutions of Alfred. "Yours is a government of public opinion," he
exclaitUed, "so is ours. Both have the same object — the greatest good of the
greatest number."

He apoke in a beautiful and impressive manner on the moral
influeuce of the Convention, and was cheered with great enthu-
siasm .

116

siri

A call was then made on Hon. F. O. J. Smith, who spoke in
substance as follows:

Mr. Smith miid, we nil know, and fei-l flie peat amount ortlmnkK due to the
able dclogiites from the neighboring ProvinceB, for the iniitnictive and intereating
information and enlarged vieww they ha\e uflbrdod thiH Convention on yesterday
and the preceding day ; and I need not attempt to add to the general exproHHion
of obligations felt towards thone gentlemen. But, Sir, I feci a profound regret
personally in having been deprived unavoidably this morning, of listening to
the eloquent speech of the Honorable gentleman from Maiu*achu8ctti, (Gen. Dear-
born) who bus, as I learn from all sides of the Hull, and from all classes out-
doors, done honor to his Btate, and honor to himself, and afforded the highest sat-
isfaction to all who had the opportunity of listening to him. Although not strict-
ly a citizen of Portland myself, yet, as her neighbor and her friend, I do feel jus-
tified in returning most heartfelt thanks in behalf of our city to the honorable gen-
tleman from the Old Bay State — the parent of Maine — for his great good service,
rendered on this occnsion. Nay, more ; I congratulate not only the citizens of
Portland — not only the citizens of Maine — not only the citizens of New Eng-
land, but the citizens also, of all the States of this Union, and of the British
Government, on the proud promises of this occasion. In the annals of man-
kind— since the first dawn of civilization, there has not been a spectacle that sur-
passes in moral and political grandeur — or that ought to surpass in moral and
practical efforts, the exhibition which the three memorable days of this Conven-
tion have mode to the world. Were all the blootl shed at Calvary, and which
then was taken up as by an universal ntmospherc, and diffused throughout the
world of man, and which has since circulated through the veins of all thedifferent
races of our kind, were to be gathered into one stream and poured out here upon
your table, as upon n common altar, the evidence of kindly feeling, the spirit of
"peace on earth and good will towards men," could not be more satisfactorily
impersonated by it, than has been exhibited here, on this occasion. Sir, consid-
erations of higher influence, of greater value than the mere construction of a Rail-
road have presented themselves and impressed themselves upon the feelings and
hearts of us all who have been in attendance here ; and if no Rail-road, such as has
been sanctioned by the voice of this Convention should ever be constructed, I shooJd
consider that we have all been gainers by the manifestations, and better knowl-
edge of each other which this occasion has made. It has bound together as in a
new marriage, the citizens of differ int nations, and as was well proclaimed by a
previous speaker, what has beca joii'tjd together in the presence of both God and
man, let no man hereafler put asu ^der. (Cheers.)

Mr. President, it is unnecessary for me to attempt to elacidate by details, or
statistics the magnitude of the benefits, or the promising characteristics of the great
enterprise before us. It is enough for me to know — it is enough for the business
men and capitalists, on both sides of the Atlantic, to appreciate that it is a proposi-
tion to save one fifth part of the time, hitherto employed in making a business inter-
commonication between the great markets of the world. This twenty per cent.
saving is consideration enough, and of itself, to insure success to this project, at an

117

in

the
ting

ttrnly day. Il in iiii iiiJucehiPiil MUtHcii'nt to onl'ut \\\e syiii|iattiii"t, ami attrurt
the attL'utiiiii of thi." vvliolc romiiifrri il world. .\nd iho work is om? of w hicli all
may III- prniid U> aid in ron-iiiiiiiiatiiig.

Truuit in, when wo conttMiiplatu tht worki ol art of niirient day*, we are over-
wht'lniL'd with asloiii^ih'iii'iit. .Ah wi; tr;i('i> on tlit> |iag)'A of hi.storv, the dinii'ti-
xioii!*, and cont)>ni|>lat<> tlu! gi.iiit |>ro|)t)rtir)n.'4, of tlx'jic nionuiiii'iit^tof human iiiduM-
try, |)ilfd up like priiiicval niouutnini) in thn «hap<> «f iiioundi, and roluiinm, niul
wulirt urdi'fciii't', and IrniplcH crertpd to unknown godn — and olicli^kH to ih*-
memory uf morlulit wIiohu nanicc and iiu'tnory havi> been hloltfd iVoiii both liiHto-
ry and luaguagu — and for a monu'at we almost wirth we could have lietniborn un-
to concepliouH thuH ulupiindouH. That wt- lould have lived in days thu.'i signaliz-
ed bv great works of art and industry.

For a inoniunt, we feel as if wo were but pigmies compared with the ancient
races of men — that our great works coniijarcd with these vestiges of their great
works, are but as artificial mole bills to natural mountains.

But, Sir, let us pause in tliLs comparison. The true distinrtiim of grratiiesf —
he real characteristics of sublimity lie not in thn material proportions of things^
hut in their spiritual power, to produce great moral and useful results. The tiny
teeth of the noiseless tield-mouse, that gnaw asunder the cord that binds the lion,
are greater for the purposes of freedom, than the strength of the lion himself

The little hillock of moveable earth that produces the grain, on which the stall-
ed o.v is fed, is far more potent to sustain all the results that depend on human
life, than the island of rock that has withstood the surges of the ocean, from the
dawn of creation until our own day ! (Cheers.)

Sir, what were these mounds, and columns of ancient days — even the walls,
like unto the vestiges and iiistory of Nincvah and Babylon, in point of utility and
moral power, compared with the shortest Rail-road of our own day, out of
which one steam locomotive only has had a birth and employment ?

Is there one additional ray of divinity traceable to the hearts of the race ofiiian.
from any of these massive works of ancient art, oxer v hich the brows of tliou-
8and.4 must have sweated, and the hearts of thousands must have fainted from
toil ?

Sir, so far as we know, they express nothing but the tyranny of some despot
over his subjugated fellow-men — evidences of the terrors of power to intimidate
the oppressed. No one impress of divinity was upon them — they served but the
purposes of a temporary human pride — they contributed nothing to ennoble or dig-
nify 'luman nature — and hence they crumbled back into dust with their vain
glorious authors, or fell beneath the neglect which awaits the heartless and soul-
less creations of individual ambition and vanity every where, and in every age.

Mr. President, it was left for our age, if not for our particular generation, to
exercise and enjoy that new birth to man in this world, and on this side of the
grave, which adds more than four-fold power and four-fold duration to his previ-
ous existence, which makes him a divinity, where before he was but humanity.
The ancients builded their huge piles of matter, as th j enduring evidences of their
greatness and skill. We, of this day, reason ui an opposite direction, and reduce
matter, but enlarge mind. Wc look at the spirituality of things, and their ability

m

118

to produce gri'dt moral ni:d physical ; \j. As has been heautifully exprosged
by one of ihe guhlirncst, if not niost sublime of living Eng'ish poets :

•• Wf live in ilrnln, lua years ; la tli()ii};lits, iiol liieullis ;
in ri'C'lin(.'s, nol in tlj^iires on ii di^il.
We >ti()Mlil coum lime hy heait-tlirnlw. Ho most lives
Will) tlilnk«niost— feelH tlie nobleat— acts Die beht !"

iMr. I'rcsiuent, this new birth of powor which intellect has br.aght forth increa-
HOH the lives of men as our fathers before us knew not how to increase the length
of their lives. Tor what else is the true measure of life, but the power and
tnoans of aconmplishing llie gr-'atest amount of good and great results ? If a man
has learned how to accomplisi." fourfold as much labor in a given length of time —
to travel and return over foi.rfi>id more distance in a given length of time than ho
could previously, fo; all the practical purposes of life, he lengthens out his exis-
tence in a like ratio. x"!.^ use ., steam power and the rail-road enables him to
do this. And haii the Ahiiighly in h- , wisdom, when he permitted our race thus
t - increase the duration of their cxistencL, and their physical powers for practical
re^ubs, ' nt rescivtd on increasing, for thi< purpose *he nniscular rtalure of man
to a proportionably greater size, instead of accompIisliin<^ 'His result by "♦Ibrta of
mind, what giants would we be now, walking to and fro upon the earth ! Why,
the prcse it generation of man, as we nov\ see them, would be but pigmies com-
pared witli this new creation of muscular form and power ! JJui il.en — and this
shows how vain and foolish is the wisdom of human devices when assuming to
improve upon tho wise ordinances of Divine Providence — ikcn, what an utter
wreck would li.ue been made, for all practical -.;es, of uil the past industry and
the appointments f r .social conveniences of the human race. To giants such as
we then should have become, our dwellings would become mere dog kennels,
Oui imple:.ients of labor would beusoless toys, fit only for children's amusements.
The entire streets of our cities would scarcely answer for i-'ide-walks, for the
strides of our footsteps to and fro would be desolation to most things existi'ig un-
der the present condition of our race. Nay, an entire farm would be scarcely
equal for the graves of a single generation of owners. But, Sir, it is mind, not
matter, that distinguishes our generation. Archimedes, the most renowned I'.iath-
eniatician and geometrician of older times, boasted, on discovering the power and
principles of tile wheel, and pulley, and lever, that he could lift and move the
world, if he could l)Ui Inve a fulcrum outside of it on which to rest his hver.
Well might he boast, at that day, of his great discoveries. And he thougb-tj too,
that in them he had exhausted all the jiowers of mechanics and of science. But,
Sir, had Archimedes lived in our day, he could have been taught how to find in
the brain, and the strong, determined heart .)f man, both the lever and the fi'l-
cruin, by whici., while standing upon the face of the caith itself, he cun move it
to and fro, like a Oivinity ! (Repeated cheers.)

Sir, I am cont';nt — nay, lam rejoiced to live in these times — in our own days.
I envy not tht! greatness, nor the enjoyments of other days, or of other races.
Even if we sho'iM fail to construct the great work now proposed — which is to
closely connect, not simply great markets of one- continent, with ^eat markets o'
another continent — but which will connect ti.e Gn.>JAT heart that is represent-

119

"(1 //icrc—( pointing to the Ainerinin flag whinli was suspciulcd c;; oncsidi- i-f liie
Hall) with tlie otiuT OFtEAT heart that is rc,.r'.-scnti'il thorc — (pointing to the
British flag tlwt was suspciided on another side of the Hall) of which I ontertain
no doubt and no fear — ' still venture to say, there i.'^ not a man who has partiri-
pated in thtje procoedir<r», without feeling thankful, R;iil-road, or no Rail-road,
that this Convti.il'ni .is bc^n holden. It has been fortunate in all its oirnunistaii-
ces, and it cannot but be fortunate in al' its results.

Mr. Smith's rcinaiks were received with the utmost enthusi-
asm, and repeated cheers.

A call was then made upon the Hon. J. B, Uniacke, whose
appearance was warmly applauded.

Mr. Uniackb said he regretted that he should have been absent yester-
day, whi,n the vote was taken on the question cf the route. He was drsirous
of recording liis name in favor of the continuous land route ; and therefore heartily
concurred in the result to which the Convention had arrived.

The Hon. Mr. Fairbanicsand himself represented the interest that formerly ad-
vocated 'he Quebec and Halifax Railroad. He would therefo.-*! lay upon the
table copies of the Report of Capts. Robi.ison and Henderson, and a copy of the
Survey in detail, wit! profile "f the line from Halifax to the boundary of N.
Brunswick. The.-'j i. ji.ients he would place at the service of the Convention^
for the use of such of the Committee as might be appointed.

He complim- .ited in a modt ft-rvent manner the speech of Mr. Rantoul, deliv-
ered Wednesday. He thought the selection of the name — Tur. Eukotean .mvd
North American TIailway — most fortunate for the success of the enter-
prise. He referied to th' past and present condition of England and America,
hi relation to each other : they who had been long severed were now, with mind^
enlightened and refined, being brought together a?ain. Mr. Uniacke alluded in
very feeling and beautiful terms to Ireland, which had been stricken down by
poverty and famine ; by this movement, it would be brought into union with a
laud of plenty; and joy would thrill through the hearts of Irishmen wlw.n the At-
lantic steamers shall fi'sl appear in their waters.

Here was a mode pointed out, by which the British nation could do something
foi Ireland. The scheme of Lord George Bentinck was one of benevolence and
humanity; but it involved too great .<m outlay for the ends lo be secured. If that
great statesman a'.'i good man were now alive, here was a schcue that would at
once have enlisted his sympathies and his exertions.

The completion of the line from EAubliii to Galway, must change the course of
emigrant travel , and here was a scheme that would favor a judicious system of
emigration and colonization.

Mr. Uniacke would refer to the Reports and papers he had laid upon the table,
if there was time, to show that the whole scheme was practicable and feasible,
lialifu.v might be the terminus at first; but, eventually, the line must run to Can-
so — and even across the Gut of Canso to the shore of Cape Breton. Many had
co.itio.erted the proposition laid down in the Portland pamphlet, that the Gut of
Canso could be passed by a bridge, lie hud no doubt upon the subject. It could

120

be done ; and it would sit somn time or other lie accomplished. If the kuiii of
two millions of pounds can be expended to gain twelve miles of Railway be-
tween England and Ireland, can any one doulif, that a saving of sixty miles of
water carriage between Europe a..d America, will be hereafter !ittencd. He
believed that the bridging of the Gut of Canso could be effected cheaper than the
Menai Strait.

Probably Halifax would at the outset be selected as the Eastern terminus.
The route from Halifax to the New Bniiiswick line would pay; and in fact,
throughout its whole extent from Halifax to Bangor he believed it would be a
paying route, and that it would be built if these whom he addressed would make
a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether. He pledged his aid and influ-
ence in every manner in which it could be exerted to promote the interests of the
enterprise.

Mr. Uniacke's remarks were heartily cheered throughout.

The papers referred to, particularly noted by I.^r. Uniacke are
here inserted. The distance from Halifax, by Truro and Am-
herst to Bay Verte, at ii!;e line of New Brunswick is 124 miles.
The only obstacle in this -I'ne is the range of the Cobequid Hills.

"These," according to Muj. /tobinson's Report, " extend all along the no
shore of the Bay of jNliuas, and very nearly across, but not quite, to the shore ai
the Htraits of Northumberland. In breadth, the range preserves nearly an uni-
form width of about ten miles. In altitude, the hills average from 800 to 1,000
feet. The lowest point, after a careful survey, was found to be ai the Folly
Lake, six hundred feet above the sea. This range can be avoided and passed by
tJie Whitehaven and direct route, but must be surmounted and crossed over by
the Halifax and eastern line, (route No. 2.)

The prevailing rocks are granite, porphyry and clay slate, in the upper por-
tions; along the shore of the Bay of Minas, and on the northern side, the forma-
tion is of the red sandstone and the coal measures.

This range abounds with the most valuable minerals, of which a large mass of
specular iron ore, of unequalled richness, occurs close to the line, and only re-
quires facility of carriage for bringing coals to the spot, to he worked with profit.

A large portion of this tract still remains igranted; and timber of excellent
growth, with abundance of the finest stone for building purposes, are to be met
with; and, still belonging to the Crown, can be had for the expense of labor only."

Capt. Hendeison gives the result of the surveys from Halifax
to Bay Verte, as follows, viz:

"Commencing at Halifax, the comparative advantages of having the terminus
in the city which is situated on the western shore of the harbour, or in the village
of Dartmouth, which is on the eastern side, and immediately opposite the city,
becomes a matter of detail for future consideration.

From Dartmouth the line passes through the broken chain of land wliich runs
paralell with the south-east coasts of Nova Scotia by the valley formed

lley

by

121

( Imin of lakes which extend from Dartnicuth to the Great Shubenacadie Lakt-, a
distance of about twenty' miles.

Tiu! highlands come in pretty close to the lakes on both sides, leaving here and
there narrow flats alo'ig their borders. The rock is chiefl. slate, and along the
l)ottom of the valley are large qnantities oi loose fragments of rock from the ad-
jacent hills, boulders, gravel, &c.

The gradients on tins portion of the line which has been calculated chiefly from
the sections made f )r the Shuijcnacailii- Canal, which was intended to follow this
chain of lakes, will be favourable, though from the rocky and broken character of
the ground, it will be probably expensive.

For the first nine miles the line follows the western shores of the lakes. Tile
lulls are a short distance back, leaving a stripe of irregular low ground inde.ited

ith bays, the water in which is shallo"-.

The summit level is at the south end of Lake Charles, from which the water
flows into the Shubenacadie. The Dartmouth Lakes, the first of the chain, empty
themselves into Halifax harbour, being 65 feet above high water, the rise from
them to the sunnnit level Lake Charles is only 25 feet, the distance being one mile.

After reaching the northern extremity of Lake William, nine miles from Dart-
mouthy the line crosses to the eastern shores of Lake Thomas, the next in the
chain, and hence by the shores of Lake Fletcher to the grand Lake.

The western shores of these two lakes are bold and rocky, with deep water.
The eastern are easy as respect cuivatures, and the water is shallow, should it be
necessary to build into them.

The railway, will, however, probably interfere witli tha present line of road.

Should the terminus be in the city of Halifax, the line thence would join one
coming from Dartmouth at the northern extremity of Fletcher's Lake, fifteen miles
from Dartmouth, and nineteen from Halifax. The latter would be consetiucntly
the longest by four miles.

The summit level in the line from Halifax between the waters flowing into Hal-
ifax Harbour and those falling into the Shubenacadie, is 232 feet above tide-water
in the former. The gradients will be consequently more severe.

For the first seven miles after leaving Halifax, the hue follows the shores of the
Bedford Basin, a portion of Halifax Harbour, which are broken and rocky. To
obtain curves of half a mile radius, heavy enihi.nkments will be necessary across
the deep bays ; for the remainder the expense and dilHcultics will be about the
same with a line following the Lakes.

After leaving Bedford Basin, the line ascends the valley of the Sackville River
ior about three miles. On the east side of this valley is the ridge of land separat-
i:', the Halifax and Shubenacadie waters.

The most favourable point ascertained for crossing this is about 5 1-4 miles from
the head of the Basin, and is 232 feet above its water. The heaviest grade in-
volved to reach this will be Tjrty -three feet per mile for three tniles. It will also
involve a heavy embankment, about 700 feet long, between the summit level and
the shores of the Long Lake, fiom which it will descend to the north end of Lake
Fletcher, by the valley of the Rawdom River, where it joins the line from Dart-
mouth.

122

BiUweon the north end of FIuIiIkt's Lake and the pomt where the line will
strike the firand Shiiliiinacadie Lake, are tiiree ridgea projecting into the Lake,
which will recjuire to be cut through ; the two next the Grand iiake being about
thirty feet deep. Thence it follows the shore of the Crand Lake for about three
cjuatrrs of a mile. The highland comes out close on the Luke, but the water is
shallow.

Leaving the Lake shore at the 17 1-2 mile it crosses to the west shore of the
Gasporean Lake. There is a low ridge between the two which will reijuire cut-
ting.

It will be necessary to carry the line along the shallow wuteronthe west shore
of the Gaspereau Lake, leaving which it again strikes the shores of the Grand
Lake at Sandy Cove, and follows it for a half mile to the outlet of the Shubenac-
adie River, which flows into the Bay of Fundy.

After leaving the Grand Lake, the lino for nineteen miles follows the general
course of the valley of the Shubenacadie River, as far as the mouth of the Ste-
wiacke River.

About . '■ 'Vs from the Grand Lake, it crosses the Shubenacadie River, and
then followa • 'em side of the valley, which comes in with an easy slope to

the river, and > no obstruction. An embankment of some eight or ten fee^

will be required across the valley oC the Nine Jlile River, from which, to Barney's
Brook, at the 27tli mile, the valley is brpad ar.d open, and nearly flat, and thence
for a mile it will l)e on the level margin of the river.

At this place. Black Rock Point, the laud runs out high upon the river on both
sides. A cuffing will bo neces.-:ary on the eastern side, about thirty feet deep and
a tpiarter of a mile long.

The rock being Plaisfer-of-Paris, wifha coveringof clay, it will be easily quar-
ried. The line then crosses the river, the valley of which is crooked below this
point, and passes through the highland on the western side by a grade of about
thirty fe t per mile, for less than a mile, and thence descends into a broad flat-
Between this and the mouth of the Slewiacke River, it crosses the Shubenaca-
die twice ; the ground oflx'rs no obstructions, except an embankment which w ill
be required at the 31st mile, about 6 feet high, for one mile, where the line crosses
the broad marshes of the Shubenacadie, which are flooded by high freshets.

Between the crossing of the Stewiacke River, about 38 miles from Dart-
month, and the head of Truro mill-stream at the .50th mile, which is the water-
shed ofthe Truro and Shubenacadie waters (145 feet above high-water at Halifax,)
there will be several cuttings of from 15 to 20 feet deep, so that none ofthe gra-
dients may exceed 40 feet in the mile, and these will be short.

From the 50th mile the line descends by the valley ofthe Truro mill-stream,
by an easy yrade of about 17 feet per mile, to the village of Truro, at the 53th
mile, which it will jiass abou) a quarter of a mile to the westward, and cross the
head of the Cobequid Bay by a bridge which will require to be about 500 feet
long. From thence it couuiiences the ascent of the range of hills known as the
Cobequid Hills, which run north-east and south-west, nearly parallel with the bay,
and directly across the line ofthe railway.

The rock formation through which the first portion of the Tme passes, ceases at

123

llie firand Lake ; rroiii ilieiiro to Truro, tlit; roiiiilry, gonorallv .jpt'iiking, i^ of a
fertilu descrijition, theliills hciiig coiiiposcil of a !<lroiig day, witli here and then;
limestone and gypsutn rocks. The soil of the fertile valley in which Truro, is
Mitnatcd, as well as the nhoresof the Coljeijuid Bay, is red sandstone.

After crossing the head of the Cobequid Bay, the line passes along the southern
slope of the hills to the foot of the ascent of the 6Cth mile. In this distance it
will have to cross the Cliiganois and De Buit Rivers, and the swell of laud lying
hetivcen them, tlii; highest elevation between tliosij rivers .ihout 170 feet above
high water ; hut none of the gradients, it is calculated, will exceed 40 feet per
mile.

The summit-le\el which the line his to attain is by actual section determined
to be 600 feet above higli-vvuter, being at the lake from which the Folly River
flows.

The section, which hui been accurately surveyed, shows a gradient of I in S3
feet, or about 62 feet per mile, for ,5 3-4miles ; but by keeping abiglnir level, the
ascent to the lake may b<j overcome by a grade of 57 feet per mile, for 6 1-2, miles.

In this distance there are eight ravines to be crossed, four of which will require
heavy bridges.

The valley of the PineI)rook will require a heavy embankment, material for
which will ho supplied by a deep cutting necessary at the crossing of the road
beyond.

The upper portion of the ascent, for four mi' ■< below the lake, is composed of
hard, igneous rocks, with a covering of earth in most places, but. the rock will
probably be met with if cuttings to any depth become necessary.

At about four miles on the south side of the lake seventy-one miles from Dart-
mouth, there is u breadth of about half a mile of conglomerates, shale and sand-
stone, in which a valuable deposits of specular iron ore has been discovered ;
it is of very rich quality, and operations have been commenced by a conq)any to
work it.

The heavy grade ceases at the saw mill half a mile below the lake, in which
distance there are three small ridges to cut through, which will furnish material
for crossing the shallow arm of the Lake ; the-ice the western shore is nearly
straight, with shallow water, admitting of a level line, with easy curvatures along
its margin.

At the 75th mile a sm II ridge at the north end of the lake separates its waters
from those of the Wallace River.

The descent from the lake is very rapid into the valley watered by that river. By
actual measurement it has been ascertained that the ground falls 356 feet in the
first three miles northwardly from the lake ; thence the valley is broad and flat.
The hills on the easiern side rise very abruptly, those on the western side having
a gentler slope towards the valley afford the most favourable ground for the loca-
tion of a railway.

The actual section line, which has been run at a gradient of 70 feet per mile,
may be improved upon by keeping a higher level, and the descent may be over-
come by a gradient of about 66 feet per mile for 4 1-4 miles along the western
side of the valley.

124

m

■ I

Here the hills turn abruptly to the westward, and on reaching the foot of this
desiciMit, at tlie 7f)th mile, some cutting will be necessary to carry the line with
the radius of half a mile for one mile, round the shoulder of the hills.

A lesser range of hills lies north of the Cobequid Range, which, at this point is
aeiiaratcJ from them by the valley of one branch of the Wallace Uiver, which
the line ascends for 1 1-2 miles, at a grade of 35 feet per mile, and thence passes
through this lesser range by the valley of the west brunch of the Wallace River.
Then crossing the valley of the Little Wallace River it falls at a grade of 35 feet
per mile to the valley watered by Tulloap's Creek, by which it descends al easy
grades for ab :)ut seven miles to the 95th mile, where it turns the shoulder ot the
ridge of land lying east of the River Philip by a curve of three quarters of a mile
radius, involving some cutting, but to no great depth.

From thence it descends at a grade of 20 feet per mile for 4 miles along the fer-
tile valley of the River Philip, which it will cross at a short distance below the
confluence of the Black River, and ascend, for 5 miles, by the valley of the Little
River by a very easy grade.

From this to Bay Verto the country presents a very level appearance, and the
line will probably deviate but little from a direct line.

The gradients will be most favourable, and none, it is expected, will exceed 15
feet per mile.

At llio 120lli mile, the line crosses the Tibnish River about a mile above its
mouth, and thence follows the level shores of the Bay Verte, at a distance of from
one to half a mile.

It leaves the Province of Nova Scotia 124 miles from Halifax Harbor.

The section of country traversed by the line, from the Cobequid Hills to Bay
Vertej is, generally speaking, tlirough light soil of good quality. There is little or
no rock. Should any be met with, it will be sandstone, furnishing excellent
building material.

Much of this portion of Nova Scotia is well cultivated and populous.

The line from Bay Verte enters the Province of New Brunswick, and as far as
the crossing of the Miramichi River, (at the 223d mile,) although running nearly
at right angles to the course of the rivers flowing into the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
will deviate but little from a general straight course and from the level nature of
the country, although it will have to cross the swells of land lying between the
different rivers, it may be expected confidently that the heaviest gradients will
not exceed 40 feet per mile, the generality being very favorable."

Gradients on the line from Halifax Harbor to Bay route.
Level or under 20 feet per mile, G6 miles,

20 to 40 " . . . 37 "

40 to 50 " . . . 10 "

50 to 60 " . . . 7 "

60 to 70 " . . .4 "

124

)r thiit
with

125

In this connection it is deemed advisable to give an extract from
li ^ n-p rt ' the survey of Mr. Wilkinson, of the route Iroiii S..
John to Shediac Bay.

By adopti ly a ,!ne keeping in the vallies uf the Kenncbecasis
and tiie I'etitcodia —

" Tlie latter route would present alternate risea and falls which at some
points could be reduced to bare practicability, only by heavy cuttings and
embankments; wliilst the only advantage prupobed would le tu vum coi -
tact with the tortuous channel, tides, floating ice, and soi't banks of the
Petitcodiac.

It does not appeal however that it is really necessary to come in contact
with these in any manner involving material difficulty ; whilst tliu working
character of the Line, when constructed, wunid be of unsurpasued ex-
cellence.

From Steves' to Pitsfleld's the mean inclination wonld scarcely be 7 feet
per mile, and from thence the remaining distance to the iiend, about 14
miles, would be level.

The increase in the whole distance from St. John to Shediac by this
route will be about three miles, but with the advantage of touching the
Harbor at the Bend, which is not approached within two miles by the direct
route.

By adopting the immediate Valley of the Petitcodiac we have therefore
a Lme of Railway of 108 miles in extent; connectir.g three of the mo»t
important Harbors in the Province by a ruling gradient between level and
7 feet per mile, and two maximum gradients each of only 30 feet per mile.
It is most probable that the latter, fuvorable as they are, may be still further
reduced "

These extracts shew the characteristics of the entire line from
Halifax to St. John.

After the conclusion of Mr. Uniache's speech, a call was made
on Hon. J.S. Little, of Portland, President of the Atlantic and St.
Lawrence Railroad.

Mr. Little said he had not expected to be called upon for a speech, bu t
he felt deeply interested m the succes:) of the scheme that had called this
Convention together. He then adverted to the great enterprise in
which the Company, over which he presided, was engaged. He con-
sidered it, how<Jver, a section only of " the great thoroughfare" that
would connect continents and countries, the success of which he consid-
ered certain. As to the Portland and Montreal Railrad, he pledged him-
self that it would be completed within three years, and announced that
ample means for its impietion had been secured, and were on hand.

This announcement was received with great cheering. Mr. Little thank-

126

ed the delegations from the Ci>Ionie8 for tlie amount of Ihouglit and iiifor-
inatiun they liad communicated to the Convention, and alluded to the val-
uable time these delegate!) had given up in order to be preaent, no doubt at
much personal sacriiice and inconvenience, attended with very considera-
ble expense. The name adopted (or the line, he considered very appropri-
ate, aa it would be a great national work and would justify its friends in
calling for aid from both continenta for its construction, Maine would do
her part in this great work, and if the effect of the Convention abroad was
such ua in i'orlland, the aucce'a of the enterprise was certain.

Mr. Little's remarks drew forth great applause.

Admiral Owen was here called for, but declined speaking on
account of the difficulty he had of enunciation — his heart, how-
ever, was warmly interested in the enterprize.

Hon Israel Washburn, Jr., of Orono, was next called for, and
spoke in substance as follows! :

Mr. Washburn said the Convention had assembled to take into consid-
eration one of the most magnificent prcijecls that had engaged the attention
of the present century. He had listened with infinite pleasure to its de-
liberations, lie had been delighted with the eloquence which was assisted
by wit and imagination, and siill more by thdt better eloquence, on occa.
sions of this kind, of facts and figures. The enterprise was feasible ; men
might be startled by itd magnitude, but it would bear examination and
arithmetic.

The questions to be asked and answered, were, primarily, ' would it
pay ?' ' Can the necessary funds be raised ? Let those wlio projected, and
who hiive thus far successfully carried forward the Athintic and St. Law
rence road, amid the doubts, questionings and benevolent warnings of the
incredulous, the alow and the sleepy, answer. Let the pnblic spirited,
yet wisely cautious, citizens of Portland, who have paid a million of dollars
within three years, for that great work, without feeling the slightest em-
barrassment,— let the net earnings of the part already built, answer. Let
an examination uf the country through which this Eastern road is to pass
a survey of the resources and capabilities, of that country, make response.

From the report of IVIr. Wilkinson on the road from St. John and Sche-
diac, and from the statistics which had been laid before (he Convention,
there would seem to be little donbt that the local business iilone East of
St. John, would furnish a remunerating traffic for that portion of the road.
Fifty of the seventy miles between St John and Calais, would nut pay at
present; nor would fil\y of the ninety miles between Calais and Ban-
gor. But well informed and cautious men in Calais, believed that fif-
teen to twenty miles of the road from that place West, would pay from its
own trade. From fifleen to thirty milen East of Bangor, according to the

•'K

127

rouln adopted, would pay eiipcnses and good interest on the coit, from the
way businesi, ifumediately on tlie opening oftLe road. Of this no one ac-
quainted >vith the budiiies!) wliicli demanded anJ would seek Rail-
road facilities, on the line of the route abore Banjrur, would doubt for
an instant. Within fourteen miles of liangor, on the Pcmibscot River,
were 200 saw mills, a large number of clapboard, shing'e, and lath ma-
chines, &c. &c., making an inimen.-'c trade, rcquiri.ig lor its economical
conduct accommodations which could only be afforded by a railroad. This
part of the line would unquestionably pay — and he Lete gave the opinion
of the shrewdest and soundest judges, twelve per cent on the ca])itul in-
vested. It would seem, then, that, independent of the througk busineaa,
the road from Bangor to its Eistern terminus in Novu Scotiu would, for

more than three-fourths of the distance, poy a fair inlerebt on the cost

and he did not doubt that wilhin a few years afler its completion, this
would be true of the whole line. Cheers.

If gentlemen who had examined this subject, were nut mistaken in the
saving of time which they had supposed would be effected in the passage
between America and Europe, there n)Ui<t be a very considerable, and con-
stantly increasing, number of passengers over the road. The intercourse
between the old world and the new, was rapidly increasing; witli such fa-
cilities as this road would furnish, it would continue to increase. There
could be DO doubt that this would be the favrred route of the Canada's,
and the • Great West.'

The West — the country beyond the Alleganies, and North of the Ohio
— was an Empire of itself. It was going forward in population, and
wealth with unprecedented strides. Within five years a larger number of
travellers would pass from that portion of the United States to Euroj)e,

than now passed from all the States. 'I'his route would unquestionably

we had only to look at the map of North America and the projected im-
provements in the West, to understand this — command the great body ot
this travel. Now, would the entirprise pay ? Was there a reasonable
doubt of it .'' Convince capitalists that its shares will be good paying
shares, and the funds will be forthcoming.

But the project was one of infinite moment to the State of Maine, con-
sidering the quantity of good land within her borders, the wealth of her
forests, her facilities for ship building, the best in the world — for the fish-
eries, hardly surpassed, her position iur commerce, her extent of coast, her
harbors, her rivers and water falls, what should prevent her becoming one
oi the first States in power, influence, and in all that makes a St,ate, in the
confederacy .'' This road built, she will have a great trunk tine from bor-
der to border, which will make her resources accessible and available —
open them to the observation and enterprise of the world, and arrest the
tide of emigration which has for years net so strongly towards the West.

128

The lands belonging to Miiine ten years ago, were worth, at low valua-
tion, two and a hnlf millions of dollars — withii. that period a moiety ot
thoKL- landu had been disposed of, and who could tell what h'kd become of
the procecdx, or what benefit the Stale ur its citizens iiad derived from
them ? NVhat have we to show for tlicin — what public work, what per-
manent fund, what enduring monument? If we continue the policy hith-
erto pursued, in less than ten years our lands will have been sold to the
last acre, and the Slate will have iiotliin^; to fchow that bhe ever owned
ihL-iij,

Mr. VV. said, if he were a member of the Slate Legislature, it would be
his fir>l business to see if some way could not be provided whereby the
property of the Stale in wild lands could be changed into railroad property.
ile would inquire if a plan could not be matured by which, without invol-
ving any loan of the credit of the Slate, her million or two of dollari in
lands, might be put into some of the great trunk roads which should be
constructed vi'ithin her limils — that while she should have an enduring
property which would tend to increase the numbers cf her people and
swell tlie valuation of tlieir estates, sJie would secure in perpetuity a large
annual fund for the use of her schools and coihges, or for the diminution
of her State tax.

The age — Mr. VV. said, was one of unexampled activity in whatever
referred to the developement of the physical world. His friend from Port-
land, (Hon. Mr. Smith,) had alluded to the past and the works of the past,
contrasting the latter with those of our day. The works of the ancients
as stupendous aa to us they appear profitless — uere parts, if not instru-
ments, of their civilizations. How d'fferent are the exprsssions and the
agencies of ours. Not pyramids and Chinese walls, but Uailroads are the
" acts of our Apostles of civilization." The time had come when the tal-
ents and energies of man, were employed more directly and profitably
than ever before in the progress and elevation of the race. The fortunes
of our Christian civilization were in the keeping of the Anglo Saxons.

Here, upon this continent, by us and our descendants, this great Prob-
lem of Christian civilization is to be fairly and finally solved. The past
has labored for us The world in four thousand years, got ready for Ciiris-
' tianity — in fifteen hundred more for Protestantism and the opening of a
new world; three centuries more were required for the Steamboat, the
Railroad, the Telegraph. Cheers.

On this ample and favorable field, with these aids and advantages, this
people can be no laggards in the work whicii hab been committed to them ;
this age cannot ignore its position, and its responsibilities.

There need be no fear that an enterprise like that which has brought us
here, to-day, can, in this age, be unsuccessful. So magnificent in design,
so promising and practical in results, so fortunate in the time of its intro-
duction, its conception and execution are one.

129

Hon. Wm. Wright, Advocate (Tenernl of New Brunswiok, sm >
ceeded to the floor, ami commenced speaking, but was interrupted by
a call for adjournment, when the meeting adjourned till :2 1-2 o'clock,
P. M.

Afternoon.

Mr. Piivou the Mayor of Halifax in the Chair. The Hon.
Mr. Wright resumed hia remarks.

He said thiit this road was deniiindeil by tlio necensitics of the Proviiices, and
that fact would ho admitted by those who would tako th(! trouble to cxaiiiiiu; the
statistics of trade.

Once establish this line, he remarked, not only a magnificent line of coast to
your trade, not only the great and profitable fisheries of lh(! (julf, but also a great
proportion of the trade of the Province of Canada. The flour consumed in the
lower Provinces is now brought down from Lake Krie, through the F'rie Canal, to
New Vork. It is shipped from there to St. John, and thence distributed to the
places of consumption. This is done n.t a cost of fis. per barrel, or $'1 46 cents
of your money. It will cost, by the proposed route, 2s Sd, or 61 cents, for carriage
to the same place. Mr. Wright illustrated the importance of the new route, by
frequent reference to tables and statistics which he had before him. Concerning
the Gulf of St. Lawrence fisheries, he said that, by the international treaty,
American fishing vessels could not come within three miles of the coast; but that
restriction, he was persuaded, would only last until the great Railroad Li /inished,
and no longer.

Last year, over sixty-eight thousand dollars worth of fresh Salmon was ex-
ported from St. Jolm to New York alone. He alluded to the inducements that
would be held out for travel, from the southern cities, when the attractive
scenery of the St. Lawrence Gulf is brought within easy reach.

He concluded his very able and convincing speech, with an allusion to the
beautiful aspect of this meeting, where the subjects of Great Britain and America
sat side by side in convention, for the first time in three quarters of a century.
There sat the Governor of Maine, side by side with a disthiguished British Ad-
miral; and throughout the meeting, men of rank and distinction, from both sides
of the boundary, mingled frankly and freely together, animated by the same earn-
est desire to advance an enterprize which was well calculated to benefit the
whole human race.

Mr. Wright's remarks drew forth renewed expressions of ap-
plause.

Mr. James McFarlane, of St. John, was next called upon,
and addressed the Convention.

Mr. F. said he was not a professed speaker. He belonged to the mercantile
class, and come here to represent that class of men in the convention. There

17

130

vviiH .1 I'lriui^ iiitiTci-t Ci'lt ill (his undertaking in tlic nly i<t' Si. Joliii, fur ti«-y<i>i<l
what hi- h;i(l uitiicsM'd in rrj^iird to iiiiy ciiiiiliir iiniji'''!; mid Ik- \v:h iiiithoriMcd to
■<ay, that tin- trading rlas" in St. John would ronirilmtf to the full i>\(i>ut of their
iiiennn. .Mr. .Mi riirl.iiic advoriiti'd a Iroo iiitcrrhaiijt" «'•' cDiiiiiicHhtirs lictwi-oii
thi> I'liilid States and tile I'riiviiires; not only as a means of rnsieriiit; that ^^reat
ehaiige in pulilie .scntiiiient whieh had taken |dac(> between the two countriuri of
late year?', which would result in enlar^iiif; the reeling of uiiiity and lirotherly
kindnrs.s hetweeii the people of lioth nations.

Mr. Md'arlane's speech was reccivrd with very great favor.

Mr. I'ooii, of I'orthind, said that one of the iiio.-it inipiirtnnt inquiries that hao
loiiK! lip, has been in re;;ard to till! ai'tioii of lh(r I,e;i;i.-latiire of ^[aiiie. If thn
l.ej^i.slatiire will promptly grant the iii-ceasary charter, and cause a survey of tho
lino, the work of raisin;^ siihscriptioiiH can go forwaril the present year. Mr. F'oor
Imped the l.egi.-latiire of .Maine would not be backward in the good work. There
arc guiitleinen here who can give ati exprmsion to the feeling which pervailen that
body; and he would ask tlie I'resident to call on No.mi Sjiitii, lisij., of Calais,
a niKinher of the Hon.<e of RepreseiitativcH.

Mr. S.MiTii responded to the call of the Chair, and said —

He roulil not, of course, |)!edge the I.ei|islaturi! as to an nppro|>riation for a sur-
vey; but ho could say that he did not know a nicniber in either branch who
would not be ready to grant a full a |)propriation for that object. lli>< own town
of Calais, he was authorised to say, would pledge itself to a luNirty co-opcratiou
in the work, of the sucoesH of which ho had no doubt.

Mr. Smith ob.-ierved, that a previous Hpeuker Had stated, " that New Bruns-
wick had went nil her best men." ile wuh well acipiainted with the people of
that I'rovinci', from being tlu-ir next door neighbor, lie was n^idy to admit, that
.\ew Brunswick had sent her best men, but not all of them; he well knew, and
could say, as did the Y,.nkce pedlur, when selling oil" his razor-strops — "there is
more of the same st.rt left!"

Mr. Smith's remarks drew down imtnense applause.

.Stephen Binnev, Esq., of Monckton, interested the Conven-
tion witii some able retnarks respecting the importance and value
of the route which had been adopted, in opening up, to citizens
of the United States, a vast agricultural country, and giving
easy access to the unlimited fisheries of the Gulf of St. Law-
rence. Mr. Binney strongly advocated reciprocity in trade, and
pointed out forcibly, tlie many advantages which would follow
from such a desirable arrangen^Cit. He concluded by express-
ing^ his firm conviction, that the Railway through New Bruns-
wick would be a profitable undertaking, from local traffic alone,
without reference to the vast stream of travel and traffic which
must puss over it, as a great highway between tho Old World
and the New. His remarks were highly cheered.

vn

Hon. Gr.o. F. Siir.ri.iv of rmtlund, a nu'Mibcr ol' llic S(in;fo
was then ciillid lor tlnouglioiit thi; Hall, wliu roti{)uii«It'(i in bub-
fltancc as follows:

lie »d'u\ tliiit a fi'W wi'ck* ninrc, lie rcci ivitl a pi'liiiuii !<ii'mi! liy ■<i>iiii> ofthiHi*
•■ntiTpri.-'iit^ iirid piihli.' ■untilcil men, wliti ii.iil ntijli'i.iIcMl, iiml iMrrii'd nd ti) its
pn'-'t'nt stiilo of Hiici-cxsfiil pro^ri"-', llirit •."•ciil <'nli'r[)ri-if lln' Atlniili' ;ini| St
LawTonro lliiilrnnd, praviii^ llml the Htalc would raiisc to he «iirvfwd iind n*-
rcrtaini'cl the most |iriirlii'al route for a ll'iilway fn'iii thr fitv of I'iin^'er to thr
Kaxtcrii liouiidary of tin- State in llu- gciscral dirtK-lioii of St. Joliti, .N. liriiiiswi k.
'Hiis petition he liiid thi! honor to lay before the Senate of .Maine and it had h.M.n
referred to tlie appropriate eon'niiltie. Wlien the attention of tlie l.e^islaiuri-
was thus first culled to thit sulijeit, altlum^li the project wiis received with favor,
it was too inn^niticent a srlK'ine to he fully iisiderstood and apjireciatcd at the
Hrst glance. At lirsi it appeared as merely an attempt to extend to the interior
and the r.asterly counties of (lie State the ailvantaf,"'^ and facililics of Huilw y
eoinniiniication now enjoyed hy lli<^ more favored comities in the W'e.-^t, and thus
to bind together in the bonds of fre(pient IntercourHC and speedy cnmniuiiination
the citizens of the whole State from its Western to its i;astern liouiid!:ry. On a
closer inspection this' iqipeanid to he hut a small portin-.i of the lienetits to he at-
tained by the accomplishment of the enterprise. The iron band which was to
unite the dilFerent sections of our own State, was to he but a liiii^ in the great
<diain of coniinuiiication which was to exteml from the (iiii, i if .Mexico to the
Buy of Fuiidv. That, not only were the people of our own State to be ail'urdi d
the facilities of railway coniinuiiication with each other and with their fellow
'•itizens of the other States, but the people of thi.^ States and of tlie I'nited Slates
wore again to be united with their brethren in the Piovinces of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia who were brothers of the same family, although heretofore fro.'i
jjolitical caiues slightly estranged. But now the old fraternaNeeling was to bo
revived and the brethren tnvcHing on over the same voad which is to be the
place of meeting and reconciliation, find that it leads .still onward to tlu- patern;.!
home and pursuing the route, of which, this road forms ;i part, they, hand ja
hand, soon tri-ad the shores of Old I'ngland and tugelher revive their recollections
of a common origin and a common anccslry. {(."heers.; But it was not Kng-
land and the Uiihed States alone that were to be brought into nearer proximity
by this plan. It is to bo the shortest line of communication between the Old
World and the New. It is to do its work in the great cause of civilization, of
peace, and of fraternal feeling between the nations of the earth, ({theirs.)

Thus the importance of this project expanded and developed itself, and as the
subject developetl itself the hearts and the Lopes of tlie men engaged in tiic cn-
tt^rprise seemed to grow with it. (Cheers.)

But what was of more importance to the sui:ccsh of the movement was tbe
fact, that every one was convinced after e.xaiiiinatioii, that the enterprue was ;i8
practicable as it was desirable and might be ruade as profitable in it.s results na it
was magnificent in its conception, ((.'hecrs. t

There has been no Legislative action in the mutter. The con.sidoration of the

13?

rtubject lius hi'iMi Julayeil to awnil the iictioii of the Convotition, that the inetii-
bers might avnil thmiisdves of the light anil infonnation that would be brought
bf'.fori! tiiiH hotly. 1 know the men of the IjCgisliitim; — Many of them have Had
dii oppi riiiriity to hear tiie spoi-ches with wliicii we havi; hum favored, and they
will be pr.'parcd to advance thif cause, which lieiongs to the coiiiinon interests,
'.>y their votes.

Though a growing interest in its favor was manifested as the n.agniticence of
the enterprise u'lfoided itself to th"' minds of the inemhers, they delayed anti- n
until they could come to the Convention and see what spirit was manifested here
They had come, and had l.eard what had been said, and if they could go back
and not be willing to enlist their hearts and hands in the work, they must bt- less
than men. (Rapturous cheers.)

At this stage of the pi-^ceedings, Fig Worship, the Mayor of
Halifax, vacated tlte chair, which was taken by Gen. Dearborn
ofRoxbury, one of the Vice Presidents.

On motion of John Neal, Esq., it was

Voted, That the thanks of this Conviintion be tendered to Hon. Henry Pry-
OR, for the able, dignified and agreeable manner, in which he has discharged the
duties of the Chair this day.

This motion was carried by acclamation, and there was a gen-
eral call for3Ir. Pryor. He re-appeared upon the platform, and
said —

He regretted the necessity of leaving the Convention before its labors should
bo brought to a close. He remarked, that the remeirdirance of this Convention,
and the kindly feelings to which it has given rise, would be a'noiig his most cher-
ished memories. Never before, he believed, had a British subject been honored
by presiding over a (Convention of American citizens, in the United States of
America; and he should consider the day an era in his life, to which he would
always revert with pride. He hoised that, hereafter, the people of the Provinces
ai:J th ! Statcts would always show the same amicable spirit that has pervaded
the session of this Assembly.

Mr. Pryor's remarKswere enthusiastically applauded.

The Resolutions were then taken up in order and passed, sep-
arately, by acclamation, until the 15th was reached. Mr. Wil-
mot, th'" Chairman of the Business Committee, moved that it be
withdrawn, as he felt that it would tie the hands of the friends of
the project in his Province. They intended to open subscription
lists immediately; and hoped that, before next February, the
earliest time they could get a charter, to have most of the stock
taken. He notified the Maine people, that unless they moved
quick. New Brunswick would take the banner from them.

The following is the Resolution :

133

Revived, Tliiit no subsciiplioiis for slian-s shall bo uskc.l, until Arts of huat-
poration nre first ^pcurcd, mid tlio iiceessiry aids of public crodi' and nftiie pub-
lic lands iiri- first obtained.

This motion gave rise lo an animated discussion, hni the 'es-
ohitinn was finally withdrawn by unrnimous consent.

The 16th and ITtli were passed, when Mr. R. B. Dickey mov-
ed, as a substitute for the 16th, the luUowing:

Rcsolve.l, That in order to facilitate the progre^^s of the work, tlie nicnibcrs of
the Cfitral Conunitti e shall bfi reque>?tcd to correspond with local ConiinitteeH to
be chos"". along tlie proposed line.

The substitute was unanimously adopted. The 19th and last
Resolution war. then adopted.

The following gentlemen were then chosen the Centrul E.xecu-

tive Committe: —

John A. Pooii, of Portland, )

Elijah L. Hamlin, of Bangor, > For Maine.

Anson G. Chandler, of Calais, )

Geo. Botsioud, of Fredericton, } j^^^^ Brumrckk.
Robert Jaruine, oi St. John, )

Hon. J. B. Uniackr, of Halifax, } ^^^.^ g^^^-^
R. B. Dickey, of Amherst, ^

Mr. Gray, of New Brunswick, moved two resolutions com-
plimentary to John A. Poor, Esq., of Portland, the originator
ofthe vast and comprehensive scheme which has brought the
Coi vention together.

The following arc the resolutions:

Resolved, Tliat the thanks of this Convention are justly due to John A.
I'oou, Esq., oflortland, for his uiiwearieu zeal, untiring perseverance, and ju-
dicious exertions in the preliminary arrangements, the organization, and the hap-
py and successful management of this Convention.

And further Resolrcd., That the thanks of this Convention shall be and arc
hereby pul)licly and heartily tendered to the said John A. I'ooH, Esq., lor hie
most valuable services in this important and most interesting occasion.

The resolutions were seconded by Gen. Dearkorn.

The whole continent, said the General, is indebted to ■>!:. Poor for his untiring
zeal and persevering ciTorts for the advancement of ' .' * stupiMulous undertuknig.

The resolutions were adopted by acclamation.
Mr. Poor responded.

He disclaimed the proud position and high honor which the resolutions acrord-
10 him. If, said Mr. Poor, I bad imagined tliat aay such expression had been

p^p

134

II f:-

fif

V >-

j:r)SHil)Ic. \ r>itiii!ily slioiiid not i;.nr hncn pirnciit this iirifrnoon. I HhouM
not have had the power to reply in any tilting tirtnn for so (listiif.'iiislif'd a coiii-
pliment, had it hctMi in any iiiaiincr deserved. So far from lliis. lie felt railed
upon, by a sense of justice, to diselaini entirely all rii^iit to sueh honor. Other
nibnibers of the (Joiiuiiilteu, his associates and co-laborers, were entitled to it, for
their servici^s had been more vulniible, their labors more abundant; yet he had
thrown what of (snergy, of ability and experienci; ho possessed, into the further-
ance of tile project.

Mr. I'oor said that, on this occasion, the genuine old Ilnglish spirit had been
exhibited. Tliei" reveriMice for aullioritv had given tlieiii t!ie habit of favorin"; a
monopoly ill everything. On this occasion, they seem deteriiiined to bestow a
inono])oly of praise, which is entirely at war with right, and the spirit of the age!

Mr. Poor said that the good fortune which had attended the preliminary niove-
niciits and proceediags of the Convention, was proof of the ripeness of the scheme.
It only needed tlie simplest touch to arouse all its friends tothe wor'.<. Through-
out the length of tin; entire line of this proposed road, the feelings of the people
had become ripe for the niovem(!;it. It was the people of New BrunswieU and
Nova Scotia, who are here in the persons of their delegates, who, like Ilhodorick
Dhu's men, rallied to the; call, the inslant the note of invitation was sounded —
it was to the delegation from IN'ew Bruii.swick and IS'ova Scotia that the thanks
of the Convention are due. He would, therelbre, on behalf of the Committee of
Arrangeinmits, and on behalf of the citizens of Portland, whose chief magistrate
bad talieii a distinguished part in its proceedings, and in behalf of the people' of
Maine, whose chief Executive olficer had given the countenance of his name and
his oliicial station to the great project which had brought them here, he tendered
to iheni all individually and collectively the most profound and !ie;',rly thanks!
(Cheers.) The business that has brought us together, ha.s been linished under
circumstanees oi the most profound gratification to all. I'or one he saw before us
a. future full of hope and of promise. Whatever may be the fortunes of any one of
us individually, the memory of the Convention will remain among our most cher-
wheil recollections. The haste of preparation since the Convention had been
agreed upon, and the want of time to arrange the business details, was the only
apology the Committee of .\rrungenieiits thought it necessary to interpose, where
so iinich forbearance was required. lie would therefore only repeat for his as-
sociates and himself the expression of their profound regards to a.ll the ineiiibers
of the Convention, and to wi;h them all health happiness and prosperity. (Long
and repeated cheers.)

Hon. Mr Wilniot moved tlie tliankg of the New Brunswick and
Nova Scotiu delegations, for the cordial manner in wliich they
had been received by their bicthren and friends in the city of
Portland. The vote was taken by every member of the delega-
tion rising.

Admi'al Owen was hore introduced and said a few words, but
owing to physical infirmity they could be heard but by few. The

135

gist of Ihoin was, tliut p. good doul had been suiil, ami tlu re was
but ^^one (liiu<j; more ncetlfnl;" — and he was ready to do what lie
could to fiiniish that impoitant i)art. 'I'his annouticorncnt was;
received with j^reat applause, and rerspoiidod to by thi-ee hearty
cheers for t!ie wortliy old Admiral. The business of the Con-
vention having been brought to a close, Mr Uniacke prc^josed
three cheers, and one more for his Excellency, the Chief Magis-
trate of !\Iaiae, and they were given with a liglit royal will.

At the instance of Clener;:! Dearborn llii'ce eiitlnisiastic
cheers were given for H( r Majesty Queen Victoria, which was
instantly responded to, by Mr. Wilmot proposing tliree hearty
cheers for the President of the Unittd ^S'tatcs, Mr John Ncal.
ofPortland, then called on the Convention to give three nior<'
cheers for the "'Mother Country" — and the call was responded to
with right good will. It was instantly answered by a call from
the Colonial Delegates, to give three cheers for "Her American
Children." These were scarcely over, when the adjournment
was moved, but the meeting was determined to hear one more
speech from the Hon L. A. Wilmot, who mounted the platform
and gave one of his most brilliant, spirited and vritty t-peeches
which put everybody in the best possible humor.

At tiie conclusion of his most eloquent speech whicli it is im-
possible to report, from the fact that reporters and all joined in
the general acclamation, Mr Wilmot said —

There was a gonil old RiiglisU fonimlii wliirh not i>iily cvi-rv <'liiirclitnini inn
every other gooil man felt the force of, at Honu! porii I' hw lilror still expected
to, which he would invoke on this occasion, and he iiniifilii nil would he hiipp\'
to take part ii' the cereniony. " The ba;ins hair: been il.'hj 71, < /((/,■, . ', .(/.'/ 1/'
any person has ought io vl'jcci why the jieople of these Cofun ' ,i.id ttie.ie
States, should not be joined tos;e(hef in the bonds of eternal fellowshn ami
peace, let him noic come forth and derUire ii , or forever after bold his peace."
(I(Ong and tremendous cheering.)

James D. Fraser, Esq., M. P. P., of Windsor, then took the
floor and said he wished to offer a single remark. He had
advocated the route across the Bay of Fundy, hut the Conven-
tion having decided in fuvcr of the continuous land route, he beg-
ged to say, that he concurred in the whole proceedings, and
would give his best support to the undertaking (Cheers.)

R. B. Dickey, Esq., of Andierst, then proposed that the thanks
of the meeting should be given to General Dearborn, for hi? able

136

and eloquent speech, and the manner in which he hud conducted
the Convention to its happy close, after the departure of Govern-
or Hubbar'^, and Mr. Pryor — this proposition was responded to,
by all standing up and giving three hearty cheers for the (jenoral.
In acknowledging the spontaneous complinient, General Dear-
born said, the moral effects of the Convention would be felt far
and wide even if no Railroad were built through its exertions,
which was scarcely possible — all who were present would return
to theii homes, highly gratified with all they had seen and heard,
as he felt convinced, no person could retire from that Convention
without feeling his heart enlarged with good ard kindly feelings,
and finding himself a wiser and a better man.

The Convention was adjourned sine die, with three notable and
astounding cheers for the success of " The European and
North American Railway."

PllOCEE DINGS

OF Tim

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the Euro-
pean and North American Railway, was held at Portland imme-
diately after the adjournment of the Convention.

Present —

J. B. UNIACKE,
R. B. DICKEY,
R, JARDINE,
GEORGE BOTSFORD,
A. G. CHANDLER,
JOHN A. POOR.

Hon. Mr. Uniacke was called to the chair.

A telegraphic despatch was received from Hon. E. L. Ham-
lin, signifying his acceptance of the appointment as a member
of the Committe of Management.

Voted, That John A. Poor, Esq., be uppointed Cluiirinaii of the Coumiit-
tee, and R. B. Dickey, Seer"', ry.

Voted, That a Report of the procuediiigs of the Convention be prepared nnder
tlie direction of the Chairman.

Voted, That the expenses of the Committee be apportioned as follows: three-
sevenths to Maine, two-sevenths to New Brunsvviek, and two-sevenths to Novu
Scotia.

Voted, That the members of the Committee for each State or Province take
charge of the work of collecting the same for their respective State or Province.

Voted, That $1,400 be raised forthwith, for the purpose of defraying the ex-
pense of publishing the proceedings, and a Prospectus of the enterprize.

Voted, That Hon. A. G. Chandler take charge of the matter of procuring
the necessary Charter from the Legis'.dtnre of Maine now in session.

18

ip

138

Vote I, Tim .ippliciitiiiji lir> unili- to X\w ('ongru.is of ihn iriiilcd States fur ;i
Ihiw iimlinri/iriL; a ciitilriif't for ("irryiiig tlie .Miiil.-<, in t'lo cvfir ofa f'hartftr licinp
>;runte(l by llic I,cf;i.<l:itiiri' of .Maim-.

Voicil, 'riiiil .AF('s.srn. I'ofni, Cha.vdi.eii and Hamlin, Iji; a Committee to
taki; fliarj;(i of said application.

Vote. I, That ajjplication he made to the l?ritis!i (iovernment for a similar Con-
tract; and that Messrs. I.'niackk, Dickev, Jaiidine and JJotskohd, be a
Committee to take charge of the same.

Vuti'l, That a special application lie made in the several Railway {'ompanie.-i
hctvveen Xcw Nork and I.oiulun, inviting their co-operation in aid of the Tiiro-
pean and North American liaiKvay.

Vote'l, That the memli'Ts of the Committee for each State or Province take
charge of snch matters, in their respective State or Province, as may he necessary
to carry out the objects and purposes of the Convention, which arc not specially
a.-tsigned by the (iencral Committc'c.

Voter!, That an invitation be extended to the Proprietors of the Cunard Lhte
and the (,'ollins Line of Steanu-rs, to become interested in the European and
North American Railway.

Votfil, That a special appeal be made to the Directors of the Midland Great
Western Railway of Ireland, to take charge of the matter of liringing the I'uro-
pean and North American IJaiKvay 'o the attention of the British Government,

and to the capitalists of Europe.

Voted, That a Prospectus be drawn up by the Chairnum, setting forth, in a
condensed form, the claims of the Kuropean and North American Railway to the
contidence of capitalists as a safe and profitable mode of investment.

On the return of the members of the Convention to their res-
pective constituencies in Nova Scotia and New Brunswiclt, meet-
ings were held to receive the reports of the Delegates,

Of the meeting in St. John, on the 15 of August, the St. John
Courier says : —

GRE.Vr RAILWAY MEETING.

On Thursday inst. at 3 P, M., a Public Meeting took place at
the Court House in this City, pursuant to notice from the High
SjierifT, to receive the Report of the Delegates to the late Rail-
way Convention at Portland, and to take action thereupon. Be-
fore the hour of meeting the Court Room was filled in every part

139

and wlicn the hour arrived, it was densely croudtMl. His Honor,
Judge Strket, was present, as also the loading nu-rchants, citi-
;:c(is and gentlemen of influence and standing in this community.
We have seldom seen a meeting which cxliihitcd u greater dis-
play of the wealth, the intelligence, and the business talent of
our city.

The meeting was called to order hy the High Sheriff, who
read the requisition made to him foi' calling it; iilter which, the
Hon. John Hobektson, was unanimously nomiiiiilcd Chairman,
and Vv'. R. M Blrtis, and T. Anoeln, Esquires, were request-
ed to act as Secretaries to the meeting.

The Chairman hriefly addressed the meeting. — This meeting,
coupled with the late Convention held at Poitland, he I)elieved
to be the most important ever held in this Province. The sub-
ject proposed for their consideration was the most important, as
far as regards the welfare of these Provinces, ever brought be-
fore them. The present scheme met the unanimous approval of
all parties; and il'it received the same encouragement from the
Legislature that was so v;illingly given to the proposed Halifax
and Quebec Railroad, then he felt confident that it would be far
from impossible of accomplishment. He saw no reason why it
should not receive the same le«-islative encouragement; and lie,
for one, was prepared to give it freely. There were always
several opinions on matters of this kind; his was, that the line
could and would be built, and that it would be a paying line.

Tho speeches on the occasion were both brilliant and prac-
tical.

The following are the Resolutions adopted by the meeting : —

Moved by the Hon. Attorney General; seconded by M. H.
Perley, Esq.

1. Resolved, — ^That the moa.-iures adopted by the liite Railway Convention
at Portland, meet the hearty approval and full sanction of this meeting; and fur-
ther Resolved, That the sincere thanks of this conniiunity is justly due to the
Committee of arrangements at Portland, and the Citizens of that place genenilly,
for the admirable manner in which the Convention was managed, and for the at-
tention and kindness to the Delegates from this Province; and that this Bleeting
responds with unuiingled pleasure to the nmtual expressions of esteem and good-
will which so universally characterised the proceedings of the Convention.

Moved by Wm. Jack, Esq. ; seconded by Mr. Joel Reading,

if-

140

2. Ri'soleerl, — Thut tho projented undertiiking which has received the nppelln-
tioii of "The European and JVorth Ameriran Rail Way,'''' is rncognizcd and
adopted hy thi« Met^tiiig aH one which ntTects the interents of every British subject,
whether resident in the United Kingdom of these North American Colonies, and
that on national grounds, as well as for social, political i.nd commercial reasons,
tliirt Railway onght to ho made, will be profitable when made,and thorufore muU
be made.

Moved by John H. Gray, Esq. ; seconded by James Whit-
ney, Esq.

3. Remlved, — That this Meeting, viewing tho vast importance of the proposed
undertaking, and the powerful iijfluence which it undoubtedly will exercise upon
the future destiny of tlmse Colonies, now sincerely and firmly resolves to aid the
enterprize with heart, hand and purse; and fully relies on every man in the Prov-
ince to exert himself to the utmost of his power, to promote the progrei's of a
work which involves in its accomplishment the prosperity and the dearest inter-
cstu of New Brunswick.

Moved by W. J. Ritchie, Esq. ; seconded by John Wish-
aRt, Esq.

4. Resolved, — That the members of the E.vecutive Committee in this Province,
appointed at the Portland Convention, be, and are hereby rer>ue8ted to open books
for the subscription of Stock in this city and county. And liiat, on the expiration
of thirty days from this date, the persons so subscribing be called together for the
purpose of nominating a local Provisional Committee to act in conjunction with
the before mentioned Executive Committee.

Moved by William Wright, Esq.; seconded by Mr. J. Mc-
Farlane.

5. Resolved, — Tliat this Meeting views the "European and North American
Railway" as an enterprize desthied to draw closer the bonds of union between
these Provinces and the people of Ireland, and to elevate the condition and pros-
pects of that noble portion of the British Empire ; and hails with lively satisfaction
the spirited effort lately made from Galway, to test the practicability of a more
rapid communication across the Atlantic.

Moved by S. L. Tilley, Esq., and seconded by Mr. G. E.

Fenety.

6. Resolve'.!, — That the Executive Committee do immediately proceed to tjike
subscriptions for Stock hi the " European and North American Railway," upon
tiie uaderstaiuling that the same is to be considered as one undertaking from the
east of Nova Scotia to Bangor — to be incorporated by concurrent charters in
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Maine ; the shares to be one hundred dollars
each, payable by annual instalments, extending over a period ot Jive years after
the Company is organized ; but a deposit of one per cent., (one dollar per share)
to be required from each subscriber, and placed at the dispo.sal of the Executive
Committee, to meet preliminary expenses.

, 1

141

Moved by T. G. Hathaway, Esq,; seconded by RonEiiT Jar-
dine, Esq.

7. Resolved, — Tliat copi,->* of these llesoUitions be tran.Mniitfed to her Most
Gracious Majesty the Cimei, to the IVIayoM of I^ondon, (JlaKgow, Liverpool,
Dublin, Cork, Gnlway, Ilul.fax, tiucbec, Montreal, Bangor, I'orllaml, Roxbury,
Boston, and New York ; and to the Chief Miigistnites of such other cities in Eu-
rope and America as may be conaidtred interested in the undertaking.

All the foregoing Resolutions were carried unanimously ; and
at the closing of the meeting three tremendous cheers were given
for the North American and European Railway.

The Executive Committee on consultation, dissented from the
sixth Resolution as far as relates to the extending the time of pay-
ment to five years, and adopted /Arec years a sa substitute and the
following are the terins of subscription adopted in New Brunswick.

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do, each one for himself, agree
with John A Poor, of Portland; Anson G. Chandler, of Calais; Elijah L, Ham-
lin, of Bangor, of the State of Maine; James B. Uniacke, of Halifax; R. B.
Dickie, of Amherst, Nova Scotia; George Bot.sford, of Fredcrickton, and Rob-
ert Jardine, of Saint John, New Brunswick, — the Executive Committee, ap-
pointed at a Convention lately held at Portland, in the United States of North
America, for the purpose of devising means to be adopted to insure the construc-
tion of a Railroad, to extend from Portland, in the State of Maine, in a continu-
ous land route through the Province of New Brunswick, to a suitable point, or
terminus, on the East coast of the Province of Nova Scotia, and to be called
"The European and North American Railway," — that we will, so soon as a
Charter or concurrent Charters Cim be obtained from the Legislatures of the
State of Maine and Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, for incorpor-
ating such Company, subscribe for and take Stock in such Corporation, or con-
current Corporations, to the number of Shares set opposite our names in this
Book. Such Shares to be to the amount of one hundred dollars each.

And for the purpose of binding us fully in this matter, we do request the said
Committee to use their utmost endeavors to accomplish the contemplated object;
and we do, each one, on signing our names hereto, pay to such Committee one
per cent, on the amount of Stock so agreed to be taken, to meet any preliminary
or other expenses that may be requisite for obtaining the due Incorporation of the
said Company, or to be used in aid of the construction of the Road. It being
understood that for such one per cent, we shall be credited on our said Stock ;
and that the remaining payments for such Stock shall be extended over a period
of three years, so that no more than one third be called in, in any one year.

Similar meetings have been held in Fredericton, and other
places in New Brunswick, and Resolutions adopted of the most
spirited character,but it is thought unnecessary to give them in full.

142

A meeting of thn citizens of Halifux was holdon on tho '2.5lh
of August, to receive the report oftlic Delegates to the Railway
Convention recently held at Portland, His Worship the Mayor
was chosen to [)residc over the meeting, and .loscpii Wiiidden,
Ksq , was a])pointed Secretary .

His Worship reported to the meeting, the fulfilment of the
Halifax Dcle;t,'alion to tho Portland Convention, as he did on
Wednesday to the City Council.

The meeting was ably and enthusiastically addressed hy the
following gentlemen, namely, Hon. J. IJ. Uniacke, Croflon Uni-
acke, Esq., Alderujan Roche and Caldwell, Hon. J. E. Fair-
hanks, Hon. William Young, A. M. Uniacke, Esq., Hon. Hugh
Bell, Benj. Wier, Esq., Hon. J. W. Johnston, Hon. Joseph
Howe, ll(m. G. R. Young, Thomas R. Grassie, Esq., and the
Hon. H. H. Cogswell.

The following resolutions were unanimously passed :

Moved hy Alderman W. Roche and seconded by Alderman

W. Caldwell.

Ist. — Resolved, — Thiit the report of the Halifax Delegates of their proceed-
ings relalive to the construclioti of the European and North American Railway,
be now received and that IFi.M Worship the Mayor, tho Hon. the Attorney Clener-
al, and the Hon. .lolin K. I'airbaiiks, do now receive from tho citizens of Halifax
their most cordial and grateful thanks for tho valuable services they rendered to
this Province liy conducting to a successful issue their mission to the Railroad
Convention at Portland.

Moved by Hon W. Young, Seconded by A. M. Uniacke, Esq.

2nd. — Resolved, — As the opinion of this tneeling that the European andNorth
American Railway, projected by the Convention recently held in Portland, is an
undertaking that commends itself to the favorable consideration of tho people of
Nova Scotia.

Moved by Hon. H. Bell, and seconded by B. Wier, Esq.

Whereas the Convention recently held at Portland did not decide upon the
terminus of the projected Railroad on the Eastern coast of iNova Scotia.

3d. — Resolved, — That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Harbor of Hal-
ifax is the only suitable pla(!e for the terminuK of the North American Railway
in Nova Scotia.

Moved by the Hon. Joseph Howe, and seconded by Thos R.
Grassie, Esq. —

4th. — Resolved — That as it is the first duty of a government to construct and
to control the Great Highways of a Country — a respectful address be prepared

143

Zfith

lilway
klayoi-
•Iden,

utui iiroMontml to llie Lieut, (iovcrnor, pr»|iiig llmt iii:« F.xcolloiiry wouki reonni-
niitnil tn lhi> Priiviiiciiil I'arlinincnt to iiiitlcrtuko tli<> rdiititriirlion of timt |iortioii
iif lliiH itiiportaiit work wlik-h in to pass through Ndmi Hcotiu, un u linu bctwr.en
llalifax uiid the frontier of New Hruniivvirk.

Moved by Hoti. William Young, seconded by the Hon. H.
Bell.

5th. — Refiilrrd — That Ili.s Worship the .Mayor and the City Council, be a
C,\)intnittee to pri'p;i'" and priisent an uddre!<8 to Ilis I'.xcell Miry under the furugu-
ing resolution.

Moved by the Hon J. Ilowe, seconded ')y Hon. II. Bell.

(ith. — Rcsolrctl — That in the event of llalifax bciii^ selected as the terminnv
of the Kuropean and North American Railway, agreeably to the Report of the
(y'onunissioners appointed by tin; Imperial (iovernment to survey u line from Hal-
ifax to Ciuebee, that the Legislature Ix- authorised to puss an aet, necuring the
annual huiii of five thousand pounds to be raised by an i^qiial rate upon property
of the inhabitants of the City nn<i County of Halifax, provided xuch contribution
be required to pay the interest of the capital expended.

On the 28th of August the Mayor and City Council of Hali-
fax waited on His Excellency Sir John Harvey with the following
address, in accordance with the instructions of the public meet-
ing.

TO Hiy EXCELLRNCV LIEUTKN.ANT GENERAL SIR JOHN HARVEY,

Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Kath, Knight
Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order, Lieutenant-Governor
and Commander in Chief, in and over her Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia,
and its Dependencies, &c. &c. &r.

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Halifax, now in Common Council
convened, respectfully request to bring to the notice of Your Excellency the
accompanying Resolution which was passed unanimously at a very large and in-
fluential meeting of the Citizens of Halifax held on Saturday last in this city, to
consider the subject of the proposed European and North American Railway. —
They vvould respectfully urge upon Your Excollency the importance of the sub-
ject, Hs one more worthy than any other, in the present aspect of affairs in Nova
Scotia, to engage the attention and enlist the sympathies and exertions of the
(iovernmenl — The completion of the great work contemplated by the Resola-
tions, will not only elevate this Province to the ino.st conspicuous and important
position on the Western Continent, by rendering it the direct channel of comma-
nication between our Parent Country and the United States on the most enlarged
and magnificent scale; but the rich, though now unproductive resources of our
Province, both Mineral and Agricultural, will become developed and made avail-
able to the public good — its Commercial Fnterests rapidly advanced — and its Rev-
enues materially aided and increased. They therefore cordially concur with the

144

<<)>nliiiiei<tii rnntiiinml in ihi! encliMfxl RpMiluiion, nml doiihiing not (Imt Voiir F.x.
rpllenry tiikeM a tUtcp iiitercut in evrry prnj(>ct whirli inn n temlenry ti) oilvancn
tlin intcrpHt of tliiii I'rovinr«', they r»"4|>pclfully prsiy that Your Kxri-llniiry would
riiroiiitiiciitl totlii- I'rovitirial l'ariiani)-iit to uii(l)>rtnk<- tilt; ronfltrurtioii of that |K)r-
tion of thin important work which iH to paM throuj^h Nova Hcotio, on a line bc-
iwpcn Ilaiifiix ami tli<! Frontier of Now nrniiKwlrk.

Anil tin; Mayor and (,'ity (.'ouncil would narn 'ntly prens upon Your Excellency
till! propriety of callin(» toi^ether the Legixlature nt uh »'nrly n period as practicable,
in order that thi^ir setitinientM may Ih> aHcertaineil on {\m important Huhjort.

" Regolveil , That hh it i.s the lirHt duty of a (JoverMmeiit to ronstruct and to
control the great highways of a country, a re;<pertful Address he prepared and
presented to the Lieutenant (lovernor, praying that Ilia Excellency would rec-
omiiiend to the I'rovitieial Parliament to undertake the construction of that por-
tion of this important work which is to pa<4s through Nova i^cotia on a line be-
tween Halifax and tho frontier of New Brunswick."

Ry and on behalf of the City Council,

IICNRY PllYOR, Mayor.

To which Mis Excellency made the following Reply:

Mr. Mayor and GcnlUmcn : —

You, and the highly rospectahle meeting by which you linve been deputed to
address me, do not do me more than justice in believing that I feel moat deeply
interested in whatever relates to the ancient and loyal colony which our grucioiia
Sovereign hasconnnitted to my charge, and that I regard it as my tirst duty to
do all that depends upon ine to promote it.

The Resolution which you have just presented, embodies what appears to me
to be enlightened and sound views, suited to the age in which we live. The cost
of constructing railroads \a light compared with the cost of doing without them.
Nova Scotia owes it to her own character to adopt, as speedily as she may, im-
proved facilities for the transportiUion of her people, with the prinlucts of their
industry. She owes it to the civilized world to make her portion of "The Euro-
pean and North x\merican Railroad," which must become the shortest highway
between the great families of the Anglo Saxon race.

Be assured that my (iovernment will approach this great question without de-
lay, and with an earnestness commensurate with its deep importance; and that
it will ufTord me very sincere gratification to identify myself with this work, and
to become, in any way, personally instrumental in realizing the hopes entertained
by the Citizens of Halifax. J. HARVEY,

Government House, Halifax,

August 28, 1850.

Meetings of a similar character have been subsequently held
at Amherst, Pictou, and other parts of the Province, which were
very fully attended; and the utmost enthusiasm was manifested
at each for the success of the road.

'liHi

M5

A correspondence has been opened with the Packet Station
Committee at Galway in Ireland; nnd on the '>th of September,
1850, at a meeting of aaid Committee, on motion of A. O. Fi.a-
nEBTr, Ksq., M. P., and seconded by T. M. I'krsek, Kaq.,

RrtoU'Cil, That (iiir Chiiirmaii, the Itcv. I'. I>ai.v, In- rriiucntiHl to arknowl-
tnlge on uur part, tlii! variouit chrKriiig and tMilLsfactor)- rdiiiiniiiiu'alioiiii receivud
from Aiiu^rica ; and to enter into corroHpondeiicH with the (/'unnnitteex of Port-
land, Ilatifi.v and New MrunHwirlt, ex[)rri<sinj5oiir an '.i (y to co-opt'rate with tlit-in
in every (losKiblo way, in rarrying out the great object we have; niutti.iliy ut
heart.*

The Legislature of Maine promptly responded to every re-
quest of the Convention.

The Revised Statutes of Maine, ch. 81, provide that no
Railroad charter shall be granted iil! the line has been carefully
surveyed, aod the proper plans, profiles and estimates thereof
duly exhibited. But, in this instance, all these requirements
were waived; and the Hon. George M. Chase, of Calais, intro-
duced into the Senate of Maine, by unanimous consent, a Bill
for incorporating the European and North American Railway;
which Bill became a Law, August 20, 1850. This Charter is
one of unequalled liberality, and such as has not before been
granted ia New England; perpclual in duration, not subject to
Legislative alteration; the Company not subject j any taxation,
and the stockholders are not liable for the debts of the Company
beyond the assessments on their stock. The Company may or-
ganize on the subscription of one million of dollars, and locate
its line on the most practical route to the boundary of Maine, in
the general direction of the city of St. John.

By a subsequent Act, approved Aug. 27, it is provided that, in'
case said Company shall be constituted a corporation in the
Provinces of Ne>v Brunswick and Nova Scotia, or cither of
them, then and in that case, the Company may increase its capi-
tal stock to an amount sufficient to complete the line through
said Provinces, not exceeding ,^15,000,000. By the Laws of
Maine, the Company has the right to issue Bonds and to hire
money without further legislation.

On the 20th day of August, the Legislature appropriated five
thousand dollars for a reconnoisance and preliminary survey of
the line.

*See Note A.

19

146

n>i

And, on the 28lh day of August, by a Resolve of the Legisla-
ture, the Governor of f 'aine was authorized and requested to
communicate to the President and Congress of the United States,
from time to time, such information as he might deem it advis-
able to lay bef -ethem, as to the advantages of the«ro"»teihrough
Maine, proposed lor the European and North American Rail-
way, for securing .he most direct and lapid communication
between this country and Europe, and lo invite such aid and
co-operation on the part of the General Government as the inter-
ests of Maine might requii-e.

Tht Governor immediately commissioned A. C. Morton, Esq.
to take charge of the Survey; who at once entered upon the dis-
charge of the service, and placed two surveying parties in the
field, Hon. Amos Pickard, of Hampden, acting as Commis-
sioner. John VVilkinsoiv, Esq., the Engineer in charge of tha
Survey from St. John to the boundary of Maine, and Mr. Mor-
ton, had a m'^eting at tlie Boundary, and the two surveys are
made in cot cert, by the arrangements of the two Engineers.
It is believed that before the close of the present year, the Sur-
veys can be so far advanced as to show, in connection with pre-
vious surveys, the most direct and practicable line from Bangor,
in Maine, to Halifa.x or Whitehaven. Enough is already ascer-
tained, to sho' that no serious engineering diiHculties will be
found on any part of (he line, and that the distance will fall be-
low the previous estimates.

The several Acts and Resolves of Maine will be found in the
Appendix. It will bo perceived that by a simple Act of ea<Jh Prov-
ince, of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, constituting the Euro-
pean and North American Railway, as incorporated by the State
of Maine, a corporation within said Provinces, with the right
to exercise the several powers granted — in the same manner,
and to the same extent, and under the same limitations and re-
strictions as are contained in the charter granted in Maine — that
the most ample corporate powers are secured to said Company
forever.

The terms of subscription proposed are also given in the Ap-
pendix. It may be tiiuught advisable to add an additional pro-
vision stipulating that the subscriptions made in Maine shall be"
expended in that State, and those made in New Brunswick to be

147

expended in the said Province, and those made in Nova Scotia
to be exp« nded in Nova Scotia. -

It was not thought advisable to issue the account of the
Proceedings of the Convention, until the necessary legislation
was secured in Maiiie. In New Brunswick the conditional sub-
scriptions to stock are being taken, on the terms heretofore set
foith.

The Prospectus of the Committee, and the Reports of the En-
gineers when mnde, will place all the additional information be-
fore the public which is required for a proper appreciation of the
merits of the enterprize.

The Map issued herewith is the one published by order of the
Legislature of Maine. It is expected that with the Report of
A. C. Morton, Engi-ieer, an elaborate map will be issued, show-
ing all the details of the route.

wr

NOTE A.

The Galwaij Vindicator, of Sept. 18th, 1850, has an elahorate
article upon the comparative advantages of Galway and Cork for
a station for the English Mail Steamers, which is of so much
interest at the present time, that we give some extracts from it:-

"No port in Europe ia so well adapted for a Trans-Atlantic Packet Station, aa
(lalway, both on account of its greater proximity to America, and the local ad-
vantages which it in every way posse.sse.i. The Bay of (Jalway is known to
«vcry mariner. From Galway, the largest vessel that ever floated can sail at any
time of tide. In any wind there is no heavy sea in the Bay of (ialvvay — no sn^,
m fact, in which common Claddagh fishing boats could not live; for the high-
rolling waves of the Allanlic are coiiipletoly shut out by the Islands of Arran,
so that with any wind, a steamer can experience no difficulty whatever on leav-
ing or making the port of Galway.

It IS well known that the holding ground of Galway is the first in the world. A
we found vessel has never been known even in tlie greatest siorms to drift from
her moorings at the Galway roadstead; but even should any accident occur, such
as the snapping of cables, which is next to i-npossible on account of the sheltered
position of the bay, vessels would only have to run down a short distance to Ard-
fry, where they will find a regular safety harbour, and can lie in (he deep mud
in perfect security; but we have splendid docks capable of containing a large num-
ber of shipping.

Now for the soundings. The bay of Galway is entered from the deep Atlantic
by either of the four Arran sounds; the Arran lights can be seen far out at sea,
and the niarhier cannot, therefore, nnstake his bearing. Once the bay is entered
—a sheltered bay eleven miles wide, thirty inile.s in length and of sulHcient depth
to float the largest fleet that ever ploughed the deep— once, we rej)eat, the Liles
of Arran have been passed neither sounding nor pilot is requiied until the vessel
swings round at anchor in the roads; and what is most remarkable, only one fog,
we believe, was seen in our bay for the last twenty years. Although soundings
are not so nuicli required in making the Hay of Galway as in steering for the dan-
gerous and iron bound coast of Cork, still we are [jcculiarly favoured in iliat res-
pect. The ling bank extends, from the Islands of Arran, one hundred and fifty
miles into the broad Atlantic, and aflbrds every facility fcr taking soundings, and
its nature is such that the experienced seaman, long before he discovers land and
in the thickest fog, can tell to a yard how many miles ho is from the Islands of
Arran. In fair or foul weather he has this unerrhig guide to show him what dis-
tance he is oft' the Western coast of Ireland. Perhaps in approaching any other
port in the three kingdoms a sinnlar advantage cannot be boasted.

150

There is another fact worthy of remark, to which onr attention has just been di-
rected, and it is this:— On the South Island of Arran there u a deep brackish lake
of considerable extent, just separated from the seu by a small ridge which only
requires to be cut away, and the necessary works completed, to give us one of
the most commodious safety harbours in the world. The water power which Gal-
way has at its disposal, and all the capabilities it affords for internal traffic, with
its inland lakes, now almost navigable, places it far in advance of Cork: how-
ever, Cork is a large and flourshing city, containing much of intellect and enter-
prise; and what is more — men of patriotism — we iiave, therefore, much to dread
from its opposition, for the panic (mbinet of Queen Victoria are prepared to
sacrifice every thing without a scruple— without a single qualm of conscience, to
expediency. If Cork place itself in a position to annoy them, we would not give
a farthing for their good graces. Our only hope lies on the opposite shores of the
Atlantic, where a noble race of freemen have taken up their abodes — men who
will not be influenced by the weight of circumstances to act contrary to their
convictions. They have set their eyes on Galway as the port of departure for
America, and have already held out the hand of fellowship to us. We are»
therefore, sanguine of succesa, and expect yet to see Galway one of the greates
Maports in the world."

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INDEX

TO PRINCIPAL MATTERS.

Advantages of Whitehaven Harbor, - . .

Amherst, Nova Scotia, Meeting at - -

Annapolis Royal, Meeting at -

Amherst, Trade of ....

Appieton M. L., Letter of - - - -

Appleton John, Speech of ...

Angers F. R., " «< .

Address to Sir John Harvey, . . _

Bridgetown, N. S., Meeting at . . .

Bangor, Maine, " " .

Bradbury, Hon. J. W., Letter of - - -

Buckingham, Hon. J. T., « " .

Bache, Dr. F., " "

Biiyard, Dr. Robert, Speech of -

Binney, Stephen, << i<

Circular of Portland Committee, ...

Chadbourne, Hon. L R., Speech of -

Committee to report organization.

Committee on Business, - . . .

Colchester, N. S., Meeting at - - -

Calais, Maine, « u . . .

Cumberland, Trade of - - - .

Curtis, T. B., Letter of . - - -

Cooley, Geo. W., " «' .

Chickering, Jesse " "

Champlin, Prof. J. T., Letter of .

Carruthers, Rev. Dr. J. J., " "

Chandler, Hon. E. B., Speech of -

Continuous land route adopted.

Comparison of Routes, ....

Central Executive Committee, ...

Chase, Hon. Geo. M., Motion for Bill granting Charter,

Paog.
4

33

34

44

63

80

95

14S

89

42

51

69

69

98

130

12

16

17

19-83

29

42

45-47

66

70

70

72

75

92

108

103

133

145

w

162

f 'hnrtr-r granted in Mainf-, --.... 145

Distance from Halifax to (luehec, - . . . jj
Dickey, R. B. Es,q., Speech of - . . . -101

Dearhorii, Hon. II. A. S. " " - . - . . 109

Doings of Executive Coniniittee, - - - - - 137

Doings of Packet Station f'onnnitlee, (ialway, ... 145

Extent of Territory in L'nited States, ..... 7

Extent of do " New Urunswick, .... 114

Emigration to l'nited Slates, ...... 7.71

Earl (irey's Despatch, ...... i\

Everett, Hon. Edward, Letter of ..... 49

Estimate of husiness in Nova Scotia .... 43-49

Estimate " " " i\ew Bruuswick, .... 98-99

Exports of Nova Scotia, ...... 106

Exports of New Brunswick, ...... 114

Executive Committee doings of - - - - . 133

First movements toward Scheme, ..... 4

Fillmore, the Tresideut of the l'nited State Letter of . - 49
Frazier, J. B., Speech of .... - 91-101-135

Forsyth, J. B., " " . - . . . . 93

Fairhankn, Hon. J. E., Speech of . _ - . . 112

Fisher, Hon. Charles, " " - . . . . 115

Frederickton, Meeting at -...-- 37

Grey Earl, Despatch of as to Quehec and Halifax K. R., - - 28

Granville, N. S,, Meeting at _--... 23

Ciuarautee in aid of Halifax and Windsor R. R., ... 28
Gerry, Hon E., Letter of - . - - - -52

Gait, A. T. " " . . . . . . 56

Goodwin, I., " " - - . - . - 59

Gray, J. H., Speech of ..... . 95

Grade on the line from Halifax to St. John, . - - - 124

Gov. Huhhard, Speerli of --.-.. 18
Galwuy, Latitude and Longitude of - - - . .4

Galway, Packet Station Committee, .... 145

Huhhard, Gov., Speech of . - - . . - 18

Halifax and Windsor Railway, - . - - . 27

Ilandiu, Hon. H., Letter of ...... 51

Hall, .lolui Clark, Speech of .... . 78

Halifax meeting on return of Delegates, .... 142

Harvey's, Sir Joiin reply to Address of Mayor and Council of Halifax, 143

Licrease of Population in United States from 1790 to 1S40, - 7

Imports into Nova Scotia, ...... 107

" " New Brunswick, ..... 114

Johnson, Pro*", W. R., Letler of ..... 61

Jackson, Dr. C. T., " " . . . . 62

.Tohnston, Hon. J. W., Speech of ..... 89

Kentville, N. S., meeting at - - - - - 25

153

Kerr, J. B. N., Speech of

Latrobe B. II., Letter of -

Lands granted in New Brunswick,

Little J. S., Speech of - . .

Movement in Maine toward Scheme,

Meeting of the (.'onvention.

Memorial from Cnnville, N. S.,

" Annapolis, N. S., -
Meeting at Kcntville, N. S.,

" in Westmoreland, N. B,,

" at Colchester, N. S.,

" " Wallace, N. S.,

" " Pugwash, N. S.,

" " Amherst, N. S.,

" " Annapolis Royal, N. S.,

" " St. John, N. B.,

" " St. Stephens, N. B.,

" " Fredrickton, N. B.,

" " Bridgetown, N. S.,

" " Calais, Maine,

" " Bangor, " - .

Maury Lieut M. F., Letter of -

Moffatt Hon, Geo. " " .
Major Robinson's Survey,
McFarlane James, Sheech of
Morton A. C, appointed Engineer,
Meeting at St. Jolui on return of the Delegates,

" " Halifax,
Neal D, A., Letter of -
Onslow, N. S., Trade of -
Owen Admiral, services of -
Petition to Legislature of Maine,
Piotou, meeting at - -

Pugwash " >' - . .

Pictou, Trade of ...

Parsboro', " " .
Phonnix J. Phillips, Letter of
Pruyn John V. L., " ««
Pond Rev. Dr. E. " "
Pryor Hon. Henry, Speech of
Perley M. H., Speech of
Poor John A., " " .
President of the United States, Letter of
Provigional Subscription in N. B.,
Rantoul, Hon. R. Jr., Speech of
Reed, B. T. Letter of - - -

- 103

74

- 114
126

4
16
28
27
25
28
29
31
31
33
34
35
37
87
39
42
42
63
67
120

- 129
146

- 138
142

68
43

- 113

4

25

31

. 46-47

46

63

64

68

104-132

113

133

49

141

20

154

Rogerson, Jamns J. Letter of -

7S

Report of Committee on buaineas - . . . -

83

Resolutions, - - - - - - -

83

Resolutions finally passed, ....

132-133

Resolutions passed at St. John, after Convention

188

" " Halifax, " «« ...

142

Route through Maine, _ . - _

145

Resolve of Legislature of Maine for Survey, . . -

146

'• " " " authorising Governor to ask aid of U. S.

Gov. 346

Speech of Judge Whitman, - - . . .

17

«' Hon. I. R. Chadbourne, . . - -

18

Gov. Hubbard, . . . - -

18

" Hon. R. Rantoul, . . . . g

20

W. Watts, Esq. ....

76

Hon. J. B. Uniacke, ....

77-119

J. C. Hall, Esq. . . . -

78

" Hon. John Appleton, . . . - -

80

Hon. L. A. Wilmot, ....

86-90

" Hon. J. W. Johnson, . . . .

89

J. B. Frazier,E8q., ....

91

Hon. E. B. Chandler,

92

Dr. R. Bayard, . - - - .

93

J. Bell Forsyth, Esq.

93

" F. R. Angers, Esq. .....

96

J. H. Gray, Esq.

95

R. B. Dickey, Esq. ....

101

Hon. J. E. Fairbanks, ....

102

J. B. N. Kerr, Esq. ....

103

" Hon. Henry Pryor, .....

104-132

Hon. H. A. S. Dearborn,

109

M. H. Perley, Esq

113

" Hon. Charles Fisher, ....

115

Hon. F. 0. J. Smith,

116

J. S. Little, Esq. ....

125

Hon. L Washburn, Jr. ....

126

Hon. Wm. Wright, ....

129

J. McFarlane, Esq. . . . .

129

Noah Smith, Jr. Esq. ....

130

" Stephen Binney, Esq. . . . .

130

•' Hon. George F. Shepley, ....

131

«« John A. Poor, Esq. ....

133

St. John city. Meeting at .....

35

St. Stephens, "... . .

37

Stetson, Hon. C. Leitc'. of .... .

68

Silliman, Prof. B. " "

61

Soiyth, Prof. W. Letter of .... .

«8

155

Samnor, Chnrles, F,ettcr of .

66

Smith, Hon. Albert " ....

. 67

Sheldon, Rev. Dr. "

68

Statistics of Tradf in Nova Scotia,

. lOS

Statistics of Trade in New Brunswick,

114

Smith, F. O. J. Speech of ... .

116

Shepley, George F. Speech of ... .

181

Survey of Major Robinson, . . . . .

120

*' Capt. Henderson, ....

120

Survey ordered in New Brunswick, . . . .

49

Survey ordered in iMaine, ....

146

Surveys of Maine and New Brunswick, made in concert.

146

Trimble, Major I. R. Letter of ...

€9

Uniacke, Hon. J. B. Speech of ... .

77-119

Vessels built in St. John, . . . . .

114

" " New Brunswick,

114

" Halifax, .....

106

" " Nova Scotia, ....

106

Whitehaven Harbor, advantages of ...

4

Whitman, Hon. Judge Speech of . . .

16

Wallace, Nova Scotia, meeting at .

81

" " Truro of

43

Woodbury, Hon. Levi, Letter of .

60

White, Hon. J. W., " " ...

67

West Thomas, " " .

59

Woods, Rev. Dr. " "

67

Walker, R.J. " " .

75

Wilmot, L. A., Speech of ... .

. 86-90

Washburn, Hon. L, " "

186

Wilkinson, John, Survey in N. B. . .

. 126

Yonng, John Letter of .... .

66

Voyage, probable length ....

100

ERRATA.

Page IS, last line, for Wm. If. I'crloy," read M. If. I'crley.
61, 6th line from top, for "Moatell" read Mantell.
05j 15tli " •' bottom, for "moved" read viewed.
9tj, 7th " " top, for "nalioMal" read natural.
100, 3d " " bottotn for "proceeded" read preceded.
112, loth line from bottom, for "statute" read atutue.
116, 22d " " top, for "ell'ortH" read effects.
124, 7lh " " bottom, for "Bay r te" read Bay Verte,